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The Historical Romances 
of Louisa Muhlbach 

Brandenburg Edition 
Limited to One Thousand Sets 







* 



The Historical Romances of 
Louisa -iMiihlbach 


The Youth of 
the Great Elector 


Translated from the German 


by Mary Stuart^Smith 


New York and London 
D. Appleton and Company 




14017 

Copyright, 1896, 

By D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 


Copyright, 1898, 

By D. APPLETON AND COMPANY^ 


Of 



TWO COl'lES RECtiVED* 

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1896 . 


The Historical Romances 
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INTRODUCTION. 


Moke than thirty years have elapsed since the publica- 
tion of the first English translation of Louisa Miihlbach’s 
historical novels, and, like those of Alexandre Dumas, with 
wdiom she has often been compared, they have triumphantly 
stood the test of time. The taste for the historical novel, 
which languished for a short period, has been revived within 
the last five years; witness the popularity of Stanley Wey- 
man and Conan Doyle, of the chroniclers of the life of 
Joan of Arc, and of the memoirs of the marshals and offi- 
cers of the hTapoleonic period. Louisa Miihlbach’s star 
never set since it first rose above the horizon in Germany, 
many years ago. It is still in the ascendant, and promises 
to remain fixeci in the firmament that is perpetual, because 
it is founded, first of all, not on romance, but on the eternal 
facts of history, the great events and the great actors therein 
to whom can be traced the conditions and developments 
of to-day. 

Not the least important part of the historical novelist’s 
work lies in his background. He complements the labors 
of the historian, makes them more understandable, by 
sketching the conditions of daily life, by bringing the at- 
mosphere of a given period to the reader, and thereby giving 
life not only to the gigantic figures of history, but also to 
the neglected or misconceived common people, who yet, even 
in the days of feudalism, have had so large a share in the 
growth and making of the nations. In all her historical 
works Louisa Miihlbach begins by -showing us the man be- 
fore showing us the hero of history; she develops the latter 
from the former, discloses one by one his steps onward, so 
that, when the book is closed, we know not only that he 
was a great leader, but also why and how he became one. 

iii 


IV 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


We know his inner life, his joys and sorrows, his weaknesses 
as well as his strength; we live with him through the dark 
hours of his discouragement and disenchantment, as well as 
through the days of triumph and pride. We see his helpers, 
his generals and councillors, his consort and family and 
friends, to whom history gives but a single word, or whom 
it ignores altogether; and, last of all, we see his palaces and 
cities, the sufferings or prosperity of his subjects, the influ- 
ence of victory or defeat upon their well-being and occupa- 
tions; we feel the pulse of the common people, and no longer 
make the mistake of lending nineteenth-century views and 
opinions to seventeenth- or eighteenth-century commoners. 
Herein lies Louisa Miihlbach’s value to students of history: 
she invests it with life, makes us for the time being part of 
the period — at turns ruler or subject, king or mendicant, 
victor or vanquished. Her books, like all those that re- 
tain their popularity, reflect life; she had the gift of taking 
infinite pains, and the still greater one of concealing these 
pains in narratives that are full of movement, color, and 
invention, and yet true to her innumerable sources. 

It may not be amiss, at the opening of this new edition 
of her historical novels, to review shortly the salient incidents 
of her life. 

Clara Muller, who became known to the reading Avorld 
under the pseudonym of Louisa Miihlbach, was horn on 
January 2, 1814, at Neubrandenhurg, her father being a 
Court Councillor and ^layor of that place. She was mar- 
ried in 1839 to Professor Theodor Mundt, of the University 
of Berlin, himself a writer on many subjects, and died on 
September 26, 1873. Her life was uneventful, except for 
her remarkable literary activity, for her works are numerous 
as well as of great merit. At that early day, moreover, she 
was a pioneer of what has since become known as the woman 
movement,” an advocate of woman’s rights, and especially of 
woman suffrage. This would have made her a figure of 
note even in this country at that period, hut when we con- 
sider the lateness of the birth of the movement in Germany, 
and its slow development even at this day, we obtain an 
accurate conception of her mental equipment and courage. 


INTKODUCTION. 


V 


Ker profound historical studies must have made a leader of 
her in this direction; reading the book of the past, she could 
not fail to decipher, though perhaps dimly, a few pages of 
the future; yet what she saw there was evidently clear 
enough to give her the courage to lift up her voice and 
speak. She had the satisfaction of seeing the movement 
grow which she had helped to launch, and she had the still 
greater happiness of seeing her hooks gain popularity and 
appreciation, and to see them translated into many tongues, 
to be received with the same enduring favor abroad that had 
been accorded to them in her own country. That popular- 
ity will continue for many years to come. America, which 
has welcomed so many foreign writers and recognized their 
merits before they were acknowledged at home, has always 
been in the van in awarding to her the palm that is her due. 
The publication of the present edition is, perhaps, the most 
eloquent evidence of her enduring vogue among us. 

The conception of history as past politics ” has been 
much censured of late, yet in the case of Prussia and its 
royal house, which furnish the material for by far the larger 
portion of these novels, it is the truest way of reaching cor- 
rect results. Louisa Miihlbach saw this; perhaps she fore- 
saw also the possibilities of the future, the coming of the 
German Empire (a dream which she lived to see realized), the 
probable accession thereto of German Austria, the final defeat 
of the proud rival house of Hapsburg by the ever-advancing, 
ever-victorious house of Hohenzollern. It is, at least, cer- 
tain that her historical novels throw light upon subsequent 
events, as well as on the periods with which they deal. This 
is due, first of all, to her method, but also to the fact that 
the policy of the Prussian princes has always been a far- 
seeing one: they worked for the future even more than for 
the present. The legendary testament of Peter -the Great 
might well have a companion in some last will of the Great 
Elector or of Frederick the Great, if we take into account 
the singleness of purpose, the perfect dovetailing of the 
achievements of their successors. The house of Hohenzol- 
lern, in Swabia, known since 800, entered history in 1120. 
Its heads, by clever if selfish politics, managed to advance 


VI 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


its interests and power from generation to generation, until, 
in 1415, the Emperor Sigismund bestowed upon Frederick 
VI of the line the Electorate of Brandenburg, which he 
assumed under the title of Frederick I. He was the first 
truly notable prince of the house, and from his day to that 
of the Great Elector his successors throve, though they oc- 
cupy no prominent places in the chronicles of their time. 
Then came Frederick William, the Great Elector, born on 
February 6, 1620, in Berlin. He was educated at Kiistrin, 
the court of the Duke of Pomerania, and finally (1634) in 
the Netherlands, at the University of Leyden, and in Arn- 
heim, spending also much of his time at the court of the 
Stadtholder Frederick William of Orange in The Hague, and 
in that great general’s camps. He returned to Berlin in 
1638, and two years later, on December 1, 1640, succeeded 
his father, George William. Austria had firmly established 
its infiuence in the counsels of that father, whose minister. 
Von Schwarzenberg, was not his servant, but that of the 
house of Hapsburg. 

The present volume deals with the Great Elector’s youth, 
his sojourn in the Dutch Republic, where he learned so 
much that was later to benefit his country, where he met 
his first love and also the princess who was to become his 
first wife, and where, above all, he began to see that the 
danger to his country did not only come from Austria: the 
intrigues of France, which so nearly enmeshed him, did not 
blind his piercing glance. Throughout his reign his eye 
was directed constantly beyond the Rhine, as well as toward 
the Donau. Our author deftly foreshadows ijjie great 
changes that were to come, and the great genius that was 
to burst upon all Germany and carry them out. Frederick 
William boldly took up the reins, and began to organize the 
political power and the great military strength behind it 
that made possible the Seven Years’ War and the rise of 
Frederick the Great. His own strained relations with his 
father, of which the author gives so striking a picture, he was 
to repeat himself in the case of his second son, who succeeded 
him and realized the crowning aim of his life — the kingly 
dignity. 


CONTENTS 


BOOK I. 

PAGE 

I. George William, the Elector . . . . , . 1 

II. Evil tidings 13 

III. Count Adam von Schwarzenberg 28 

IV. Soldiers and diplomatists 44 

V. The Elector and his favorite 60 

VI. Revelations 71 


BOOK II. 

I. The double rendezvous 82 

II. The Electoral Prince . . . 98 

III. The warning 116 

IV. An idyl 128 

V. Media Nocte 135 

VI. The hardest victory 146 


BOOK III. 

I. New plans 162 

II. Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg . . . 171 

III. The home-coming 189 

IV. The donation 211 

V. Brutus 220 

VI. Rebecca 236 

VII. The offer 246 

VIII. The banquet 258 

IX. Love’s sacrifice 272 

X. The White Lady 286 

XI. The pursuit 300 

XII. The departure 318 


viii THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 

BOOK IV. 

PAGE 

I. The youthful Sovereign 327 

II.' Plans for the future 339 

III. Diplomatic missions 349 

IV. Confirmed in power 358 

V. The catastrophe 376 

VI. Revenge 390 

VII. The sealing of the documents 407 

VIII. The flight 423 

IX. -The letter 429 

X. A secret audience 435 

XI. Meeting and parting 452 

XII. The investiture at Warsaw 460 


THE YOUTH OF THE GREAT ELECTOR. 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 

BOOK I. 

I. — George William, the Elector. 

With hasty strides George William, the Elector, paced 
to and fro the length of his cabinet. His features wore a dark, 
agitated expression, his blue eyes flashed with indignation 
and wrath; his hands were folded behind his hack, as if he 
would shut out from sight the paper they held with so firm 
a grasp, and which he had crumpled within his fist, until it 
bore greater resemblance to a hall than a letter. Yet he must 
look at it once more — that unfortunate epistle, which had 
stirred within him such a tempest of fury; he must with- 
draw his hands from his back, and again unfold the paper, 
for nothing else would satisfy his rage. 

Would that I could thus crush between my hands the 
insolent, seditious authors of this letter! ” he murmured, as 
with a sigh he smoothed the paper and read it over. I see 
it plainly,^^ he said then to himself; ^^with right unworthy 
motive, these lords of the duchy of Cleves intend to vex and 
mortify me. To ask me to give them the Electoral Prince 
for their stadtholder, to fix his residence among them! That 
were a fine story forsooth, to send our son away, that he, too, 
may perchance rebel against us. It is an abominable thing, 
which I shall never suffer, and I shall forwith give them my 
mind on the subject.’^ 

He stepped up to the great table of carved oak-wood, took 
from it 'a silver whistle, and gave a loud shrill call. 

1 


2 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


‘^Are the deputies from the duchy of Cleves already in 
the antechamber? he asked of the servant who appeared. 

‘^Yes, your Electoral Highness, they are there.^^ 

Let them come in! Be quick! 

The lackey stepped back, threw open the folding doors, 
beckoned into the entrance hall, and with loud voice an- 
nounced: The lords of the duchy of Cleves to wait upon his 
Electoral Highness.” 

Four gentlemen entered, attired in gorgeous, richly em- 
broidered uniforms. They bowed low and most respectfully 
before the Elector. 

George William did not acknowledge this reverential 
greeting by the slightest inclination of his head, hut looked 
with contracted brow and threatening eyes at the envoys, 
who had now again lifted up their heads, and met with tran- 
quillity and composure the wrathful glances of the lord of 
the land, while they seemed to await his permission to pene- 
trate farther into the apartment, and to approach him. 

But this permission the Elector did not accord them. 
He left them standing like humble dependents near the door, 
and went toward them with long, menacing strides. 

You are the lords from Cleves, who have come to pre- 
sent me this memorial in behalf of the estates? ” asked George 
William in a harsh voice. 

“ Gracious Elector,” answered one of the gentlemen, we 
were sent hither, in the name of the states of the duchy of 
Cleves, to present to you in person their wishes and requests. 
But since your Electoral Highness would not have the kind- 
ness to grant us an audience, hut referred us to your min- 
ister, his excellency Count Schwarzenherg, we have preferred 
to intrude upon your Electoral Highness with a written docu- 
ment, in order that your highness might he made acquainted 
with the desires and petitions of the duchy of Cleves by 
means of our own writing, rather than by the mouth of his 
excellency your minister.” 

''It pleases you, gentlemen, to impugn the character of 
my minister. Count Schwarzenherg?” asked the Elector. 
" You would insinuate that he might represent things dif- 
ferently from what they actually are? I give you to know, 


GEORGE WILLIAM, THE ELECTOR. 


3 


though, that Schwarzenherg is a servant singularly true and 
devoted to his Elector, and that I have much more reason 
to trust him than the estates of the duchy of Cleves, who 
have dared to make known to me through you their strange 
requests. I have had you summoned now in order to have 
confirmed by you orally what is stated in this paper, for it 
seems to me nothing less than sheer impossibility that the 
estates should venture to propose to their liege lord what you 
have proposed. Repeat to me, therefore, by word of mouth 
the demands of the states of Cleves, then I will return you 
my answer. Which of you is spokesman?’’ 

I, Baron van Velsen, your Electoral Highness,” 

A Dutch name, as it seems to me.” 

''My family came originally from Holland, but settled 
in the duchy of Cleves fifty years ago.” 

" Speak then, Baron van Velsen. I am ready to hear 
you.” 

" Your Electoral Highness, the states of the duchy of 
Cleves send us to seek succor from you their liege lord in this 
time of their necessity and distress. On all sides we are 
oppressed by soldiers, and perpetually in danger of being 
seized and consumed by one or other of the contending poten- 
tates, princes, and lords. In the Netherlands the contest is 
still going on between the States and the Spaniards, and daily 
threatens to involve us in the calamities and perils of war, 
and equally alarming to us is the neighborhood of the Im- 
perial and Swedish troops. Oppressed by all, downtrodden by 
all, there is only one assured means of deliverance. It is this, 
that your highness nominate the Electoral Prince stadtholder 
of the duchy of Cleves, and permit him to take up his resi- 
dence among the trusty people of Cleves.” 

" Just tell me, you wise and prudent deputies from Cleves, 
what advantage can accrue to you from the stadtholdership of 
the Electoral Prince? ” asked the Elector hastily. " And how 
far would that go in furnishing redress for your difficulties? ” 

" So far as this, your highness, that our stadtholder would 
shield and protect us against the encroachments of inimical 
powers, and by his openly expressed neutrality secure us 
against the claims of all parties. The salvation of the duchy 


4 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


depends wholly and solely upon our having a neutral chief 
resident among us, and we beseech and implore your Electoral 
Highness to grant us such an one in the Electoral Prince, and 
to send his lordship your son to the duchy armed with pleni- 
potentiary powers.* It is for the second time that the states 
of Cleves appeal with this earnest, humble entreaty to the 
heart of their liege lord, and most urgently we beg that this 
time we may have a hearing.” 

^^Are you done, or have you anything further to say?” 
asked the Elector impatiently. 

Your highness, only this have we to say besides, that the 
Prince of Orange has promised to support our petition to 
your Electoral Highness, and that he also is of opinion that 
the welfare of Cleves depends upon her possessing a ruler, 
resident in the land and neutral.” 

The Prince of Orange has only written to me that the 
states of Cleves were of this mind, and had besought him to 
introduce it to my favorable notice,” exclaimed the Elector 
warmly. Since you are now through with your repeated 
suit, and have nothing more to say, I will give you my answer 
without delay. But you might have known beforehand — you 
might have been sure that if a sovereign has once made his 
subjects acquainted with his wishes and opinions, he can not 
be influenced and made to swerve in purpose by renewed ap- 
plication, but that he holds to what he has once determined 
upon. And so I tell you now for the second time, that I can 
not grant their petition to the states of Cleves. In the first 
place, because I will not have the Electoral Prince longer 
separated from me, since he has already been absent from 
here three years, and in these troublous times we wish to have 
our son near us. In the second place, the presence of the 
Electoral Prince in Cleves might not have the wished-for 
result. It is rather to be feared that those in opposition to 
the Emperor’s majesty and the empire will not accommodate 
themselves to the strict treaty of peace, nor forbear making 
aggression upon the Electoral Prince’s lands, and pay so little 
regard to the person and presence of the Prince that his safety 

* The exact words of the deputies from Cleves. Vide Droyscn, His- 
tory of the Prussian Policy, vol. hi, part 1, p. 175. 


GEORGE WILLIAM, THE ELECTOR. 


5 


perhaps might he imperiled. But, in the third place,” con- 
tinued the Elector with raised voice — “ but, in the third place, 
I can not grant your request because such repeated demands 
almost force us to the conclusion that you are weary and dis- 
gusted with our rule, and therefore would seek to make of our 
son a sovereign lord, thus inciting the son to offer opposition 
to his own father.” * 

Your Electoral Highness,” cried the Lord van Yelsen, 
I swear that it never crossed our minds, we ” 

Silence! I gave you no leave to speak! ” thundered the 
Elector. This is now our final decision. We have taken it 
in ill part that you have reiterated your request, and have 
even approached the Electoral Prince himself on the subject, 
as if the son durst decide anything or act, without reference 
to his father and lord, since he is bound to be an obedient 
subject, as all the rest of you. Communicate this to the states 
of the duchy of Cleves, and herewith you are dismissed.” 

And, without one gracious salutation or further token 
of dismissal, the Elector turned on his heel, and slowly trav- 
ersed the spacious apartment, leaning upon his staff. The 
lords looked after him with dark, resentful glances; then, 
seeing that he had indeed spoken his last word, they slunk 
away softly, but with bitter hatred in their hearts. 

The Elector heard the door close behind them, and again 
turned round. 

I have paid them off,” he said, drawing a deep breath, 
I have told them what I agreed with Schwarzenberg to say. 
I hope, too, that his Imperial Majesty will hear of this, and 
recognize in it my purpose to adhere firmly to the terms of 
the treaty of peace concluded at Prague and to his Imperial 
Majesty. The Swedes and the Protestant party once re- 
nounced, I am the Emperor’s friend, and so will abide. 
Amen! ” 

Again the door opened, and the old lackey announced: 
The deputation from the townsmen of the cities of Berlin 
and Cologne request an audience with your Electoral Grace.” 

The Elector gave the order for them to enter, while he let 

* The Elector’s own words. See F. Forster, Prussia’s Heroes in War 
and Peace, i, p. 15. 


6 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


himself sink into a high-backed, leather-covered armchair, 
for his gouty foot pained him. 

The deputation of citizens had meanwhile entered, and 
lightly, on tiptoe, these men, with pale faces and sad counte- 
nances, passed through the apartment toward the armchair 
of the Elector, who sat with his hack to them. Quite a strange, 
dismal appearance they presented, in their long black gowns 
and broad white collars plaited around the neck. They would 
have been taken, not for burgers of the two first cities of the 
land, but for gravediggers and undertakers, who had come 
here in the discharge of their melancholy offices. 

When George William heard fhe approaching steps of the 
burgers, he gave his chair a sudden push, so that it turned 
upon its strong rollers, and thus gave to the men the benefit 
of his Electorial countenance. 

Forthwith the burgers sank upon their knees, and im- 
ploringly stretched out their hands toward the Prince. 

“ Wherefore have you come and what will you have of 
me? ” inquired the Elector in a severe voice. 

Your Electoral Highness, we have been informed by the 
magistrate that your grace was angry with the corporations 
of Berlin and Cologne because we ventured, in our anxiety 
and distress, to have recourse to our own liege lord, and to 
implore in a petition his support and protection.” 

How could you dare to do such a thing? Did yon not 
know that the Count von Schwarzenberg had been appointed 
by me stadtholder within the Mark, and that to him alone 
you should have gone with your complaints and grievances? ” 

“ But we knew, besides, that our despair had reached its 
height, and that we longed for the protection and presence 
of our own Sovereign, as weak, delicate children long for the 
sight of a strong, tender parent. Therefore have the united 
corporations of the cities of Berlin and Cologne determined 
to send a memorial in writing to your Electoral Highness, 
to conjure our liege lord not to deal with us as step-children, 
since we are children of one and the same father, and inferior 
to the Prussians neither in love nor obedience, but only more 
visited by misfortune and the calamities of war. But on this 
account we implored our hereditary Sovereign most graciously 


GEORGE WILLIAM, THE ELECTOR. 


7 


to turn his eye upon us, and to come to our aid, since we stood 
in such great need of his help and his protecting arm. This, 
Electoral Highness and most gracious lord, this is our sole 
crime. We longed after the presence of our Sovereign, in 
his own most sacred person, and told him so.” 

But in what way have you presumed to speak? ” cried 
the Elector with vehemence. Not as in reverence and 
duty bound, hut as if you would reproach us! What a rude 
expression is this when you say, in your petition, that you hope 
we shall no longer leave the Markgraviates as sheep without 
shepherd, just as if we would hand you over without pro- 
tection to the free will and power of the enemy? Most prob- 
ably those honorable citizens, the tailors and shoemakers, 
drew up this famous writing, hut they would have done better 
to take into their counsel their priest, or at least a school- 
master, because he could have enlightened them as to the 
proper style of address for obedient, submissive citizens to 
assume in writing to their Sovereign. I have always been 
an indulgent ruler, who continually cared for your best in- 
terests. If matters do not go so well with you, it is your own 
fault, because you would never carry out my intentions, which 
I made you acquainted with and urged upon you long years 
ago. For have we not perpetually, ever since God exalted 
us to the Electoral dignity and invested us with the reins 
of government, caused to he represented to you and to all 
the states in the land how highly necessary it was to establish 
another form of government? Who has it been hut your- 
selves who hindered, obstructed, and opposed it? Now, how- 
ever, when things go not so smoothly, you lament over it, 
and demand from me assistance, when in former times your 
pride always consisted in being wholly independent of us, 
through your free-city constitutions! Now, then, see what 
is the result, when a city will he wholly independent of its 
liege lord and persists in its obstinacy.” 

Your Electoral Highness, it has never entered the minds 
of our citizens to oppose themselves obstinately to the most 
gracious of sovereigns,” protested the spokesman of the 
burger deputation. On the contrary, we have always been 
found ready to obey the behests of your Electoral grace.’* 


8 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


That is not true! That is a lie! ” cried the Elector ve- 
hemently. Often have you declined to obey my commands 
in small as well as great things. I remember yet very well 
how, when three years ago I came in the summertime from 
Prussia to Berlin, I was perfectly shocked at the filth and 
stench in the streets of Cologne and Berlin, where before 
every house, besides pigstyes, there were heaped high piles 
of trash and manure. But when I ordered the high council 
of both cities to have the streets cleansed, they had the hardi- 
hood to answer me thus: ‘ The citizens have no time now to 
clean the streets, since they are busy with agricultural work.’ * 
And quite recently, when I merely applied to these two capitals 
for their yearly quota of fifteen thousand dollars, in order to 
increase my bodyguard from three hundred to six hundred 
men during these perilous times of warfare, did you not refuse 
to grant this subsidy to your rightful lord?” 

Your Electoral Highness, that was the result of the 
extremest affliction and necessity, because we were really in no 
condition to pay the money. For whence shall we procure it 
if poverty, want, and affliction are the only things that yet 
belong to us? Just on that very account, to bring this matter 
to the hearing of your Electoral Highness, have we been 
deputed as delegates by the corporations of Berlin and Co- 
logne to wait upon your Electoral Grace, that we might repre- 
sent our distresses to our Sovereign, and entreat him to for- 
give us if we are forced to decline contributions of money, 
for we are unable to raise them. Since this fierce, horrible 
war has raged in Germany between the Imperialists and 
Swedes, between the Catholics and Protestants, the cities of 
Berlin and Cologne have suffered pitiably, and have been 
levied upon and plundered, sometimes by the Swedes and 
sometimes by the Imperialists. Before the peace of Prague 
the Imperialists visited us quite often with cruel robberies 
and levies, but since the peace of Prague, f it has been yet 

* Historical. Vide Nicolai, Description of the Capital City Berlin, 
Introduction, p. 27. 

t The peace of Prague was concluded in 1635, and in this the Elector 
of Brandenburg renounced alliance with the Swedes and assumed a neu- 
tral position. 


GEORGE WILLIAM, THE ELECTOR. 


9 


worse, and what we have suffered and endured these past 
two years is enough to melt a stone, how much more the heart 
of a pitiful Sovereign. Last year first came the Swedish 
colonel Haderslof into our town, and levied upon us for six- 
teen thousand dollars; and hardly had he left when Field- 
Marshal Wrangel came and demanded twenty thousand dol- 
lars besides. Since, however, we were not in a position to 
pay that sum, he contented himself with a thousand dollars 
in money, but we had to furnish him in addition with fifteen 
thousand yards of cloth, three thousand pairs of socks, and as 
many pairs of shoes, and besides that he had all the cattle 
driven out of the city. x\nd yet again, a few weeks ago came 
the Swedish colonel Haderslof, and demanded of us a con- 
tiibution of eleven thousand dollars. It was impossible, 
however. We could pay no more, since we had no more gold, 
and were obliged to receive it almost as a favor that he prom- 
ised in the compact to accept silver in payment in lieu of 
gold, and to estimate a half ounce of gilded silver at twelve 
groschen and a half ounce of white silver at nine groschen. 
We could do nothing but submit, and each householder and 
citizen bore all the silverware he possessed to the guildhall, 
where the Swede had ordered the contributions to be col- 
lected. And now, most gracious lord and Elector, now that 
we are poor and wretched, comes the stadtholder in the Mark, 
the Lord Count von Schwarzenberg, and requires of the cities 
of Berlin and Cologne the payment of their annual tax for 
purposes of defense.” 

And you are bound by duty and obligation so to do,” 
exclaimed the Elector quickly. On the committee day of 
the year 1626 it was decided that the city of Berlin should 
annually pay a stipend for defense of eight thousand five hun- 
dred dollars, that therewith might be maintained her garri- 
son and the fortress of Berlin. Therefore you are bound and 
under obligation to pay this assessment at present, for it 
strikes me forcibly that you were never in greater need of a 
garrison than just now.” 

But may it please your Electoral Highness, our garrison 
is of no manner of use to us. It is much too inconsiderable to 
afford protection against the enemy, and is rather hurtful. 


10 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


insomuch as the soldiers readily fall into quarrels and brawls 
with our enemies, in which, however, they always come off 
losers, only embittering still more the hatred of our foes. 
Therefore, when we have anticipated the approach of the 
enemy, we have always besieged the commandant of our gar- 
rison with entreaties and representations, until he has con- 
sented, in order to save us from increased misfortunes, to 
retire with his garrison from the city, and to march out to 
Spandow or Brandenburg until the enemy again had taken 
their departure.* Your Electoral Grace sees therefore that 
the garrison is of no use at all to us, and yet we must pay a tax 
for defense.’’ 

“ Yes, must and shall pay it, for your case is not so had 
as you would have us believe. Meantime you have refused 
to defray the expenses of enlarging my bodyguard; report has 
reached Konigsherg of the proceedings at Berlin and Cologne, 
and truly wonderful and horrible tidings have been imparted 
to me by my chancellor, Pruckmann. I know all. I am ac- 
quainted with all your doings and actions, and I must say 
that my heart, yearning as it does over my subjects, has been 
grieved to learn the abominable godlessness and wickedness 
of the citizens of my towns of Berlin and Cologne. It is true 
that you have had to suffer many of the trials and calamities 
incident to war, hut not in the least have you been improved 
by them or led to repentance. In spite of the necessities of 
war, you have not forsaken your pride and haughtiness; the 
women dress themselves extravagantly, and it is really abom- 
inable, shameful, and disgusting to behold them in the new 
French attire, which they call ^ la Fontange,’ and which leaves 
the person uncovered almost as far as the waist. They be- 
dizen themselves with finery and flaunt through the streets 
in velvets and satins. And the men encourage them in it, 
join in their amusements, and waste their lives in banquet- 
ings and feastings. Such disgraceful lives as men must have 
passed in Sodom and Gomorrah! And although you know 
the enemy may come again at any moment and levy their 
contributions upon you, yet you take it not in the least to 
heart, but continue to lead a merry, luxurious life, have balls 
* Historical. Vide Nicolai, i, p. 33. 


GEORGE WILLIAM, THE ELECTOR 


11 


and drinking bouts, spend a wild, heathenish life in eating, 
drinking, gambling, and other wantonness, deck yourselves 
out like peacocks, and those who have the least, and carry 
all their possessions upon their bodies, act worst of all.” 

It is desperation, your Electoral Highness, which makes 
the people of Berlin so mad and wild. Well they know that 
they can call nothing their own. Why should they save when 
the Swede comes to-day or to-morrow, and takes from them 
their last possession? Therefore they prefer to squander upon 
themselves in desperate merriment, rather than economize 
and go along sorrowfully, to find that they have only saved 
for the enemy, who laughs at their misery.” 

“ Now, if you take it so, you might give to me also what 
I desire and demand, and I would have the citizens of Berlin 
and Cologne to know through you that I am not minded to 
abate in the least my requisitions for the payment of the ex- 
penses of my bodyguard, and the tax for the maintenance of 
my Electoral court. You must and shall pay, and in any case 
it must be preferable, to your desperation, to give your last 
thing to your Elector and Sovereign, rather than have it 
stolen and extorted from you by the Swedes. So, there you 
have my decision, and be off with it and convey it to the citi- 
zens of Berlin and Cologne. Attempt not to say anything 
more now, for I will hear nothing more. You are dismissed, 
go then! ” 

. “Your Electoral Highness,” the spokesman ventured to 
begin, “ I ” 

But the Elector would not allow him to proceed. He 
took up his silver whistle, and with its shrill call overpowered 
the sound of the burger’s words. The door of the outer 
chamber opened immediately, and the lackey appeared upon 
the threshold; on the outside, beside the door, were to be 
seen two of the Electoral lifeguardsmen, standing with shoul- 
dered weapons. 

“ The burger deputation is dismissed,” cried the Elector 
shortly. “ Have the doors opened, and let them go out.” 

The delegates from the oppressed cities ventured not to 
make opposition; sighing and with heads bowed low they 
strode through the room. Arrived at the door, they turned 
2 


12 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


once more and bowed deeply before his Electoral Grace. But 
George William saw it not, for with an adroit jerk he had 
again turned his armchair toward his writing table. Mean- 
while, although he affected to read the document which he 
took from the table, his attention was in fact wholly con- 
centrated upon the departing burgers. He listened with, a 
satisfied air as they slowly moved away, and, when the door 
of the antechamber closed behind them, with a deep-drawn 
breath deposited the document upon the table. 

They will pay, I am certain they, will pay,” he said, a 
triumphant expression flitting across his troubled, peevish 
countenance. I have properly frightened them and put 
them in wholesome dread, so that they will not dare to oppose 
us longer. Yes, they will pay and thus extricate us from the 
dilemma in which we find ourselves at present. Ah! what a 
hard, fearful thing is life, and how little does it fulfil the 
hopes with which I looked forward to it in the years of my 
youth! My blessed father was such a fortunate ruler! With 
him everything was successful. He lived in peace and con- 
cord with Emperor and empire, was beloved by his people, 
and had great prospects for the future, being heir to precious 
possessions. And when I thus heheld him in the glory and 
fullness of his power, I thought to myself that it was a glori- 
ous destiny to be an Elector, and that a clear sky always shone 
above the head of a Prince. Yet all at once clouds chased 
across and darkened this sky, for in Bohemia was kindled the 
war which soon split Germany into two hostile parties. My 
blessed father took sides with his brother-in-law, the new 
King of Bohemia. But then came the battle of the White 
Mountain, which cost my poor uncle, the King of Bohemia, 
Frederick of the Palatinate, his land and crown, and drove 
him forth into misfortune and misery. And the triumphant 
Emperor threatened all who should succor the conquered 
sovereign with proscription and the ban of the empire, and 
whoever should rescue him must cry jpater peccavi^ and peni- 
tentially confess to the Emperor and empire. My blessed 
father did so, but henceforth he might no longer sit upon the 
throne, which could only remain his through the condescen- 
sion of the Emperor. He preferred to live independently in 


EVIL TIDINGS. 


13 


solitude and retirement, devoting himself to the meditations 
and practices of the reformed doctrines, whose confession he 
adopted, together with his whole family. So he resigned the 
government, and gave it to me. Alas! it was a sad heritage, 
and little enough had I to rule, for misfortune, war, and 
the Emperor ruled me and my land, so that I soon had my 
fill of it, and 

May we come in? ’’ asked a pleasant voice behind the 
Elector, interrupting him in his melancholy reminiscences. 

Yes, Lady Electress,” he replied, painfully rising from 
his armchair — ^^yes, come in and be heartily welcome to 
your spouse.^^ 


II. — Evil Tidings. 

The Electress Charlotte Elizabeth closed the little side 
door which led from her private apartments, and with a 
friendly nod of the head and tender glances approached her 
husband, who advanced slowly to meet her. 

“ Elizabeth,” he said, thoughtfully shaking his head, I 
see from your countenance that you have something special 
to say to me. Your brown eyes shine to-day unusually bright 
and clear, and on your lips rests a happy, tender smile, such as, 
alas! I no longer observe often in my wife.” 

Gladly would I have smiled and looked cheerful, George, 
hut have lacked the opportunity. You know well that we have 
seldom seen a blue sky above us; it has been always over- 
cast by gloomy clouds. But I beg of you, my lord and hus- 
band, to resume your seat, for I see, alas! that your foot is 
paining you sadly. The fatigues of travel have injured it, 
and it would indeed he wise if you would at last determine 
to resort to active remedies, and to that end alloAV a couple 
of the learned Frankfort doctors to he sent for.” 

With an expression almost of alarm the Elector looked 
upon his wife, who had seated herself on a stool beside him, 
and soothingly and tenderly laid her hand upon his cheek. 

You have something on your mind, Elizabeth, something 


14 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


surely,” he said, and it is nothing which can give me pleas- 
ure, else you would not use so much circumlocution; but 
speak it out frankly.” 

How? ” asked the Electress, must I have some special 
object in view, when I smile upon you, and fondle you a little? 
Know you not that my soul is full of tenderness toward you, 
and that my heart is ever speaking to you, even when the lips 
utter not aloud what the heart is whispering within?” 

Elizabeth! ” cried the Elector, ‘^now I hnoiu it; you 
have received tidings from our son, and vexatious tidings! 
Yes, yes, that is it! I know those tender looks and beaming 
eyes; it is not my wife that I recognize in them: it is the 
mother of our Electoral Prince, Frederick William.” 

Ah! what an acute observer you are, George, and how 
well you understand how to read my countenance! Well, 
now, you shall have it in all candor. I have news from our 
dear Electoral Prince.” 

He notifies us, I trust, that he has followed our instruc- 
tions strictly and to the letter, and is now on his way home? ” 
asked the Elector, gazing upon his wife with anxious, in- 
quiring glances. 

But Elizabeth avoided his look. 

^^What!” cried George William angrily, ‘Wou do not 
answer me! You can not, therefore, respond to my questions 
with a joyful Yes! Can it be possible, then, that the Electoral 
Prince has disregarded my commands, that ” 

Do not allow yourself to be so excited, George,” inter- 
rupted the Electress. First hear his motives and excuses 
before you grow angry with our son.” 

“ From all those motives and excuses I shall only gather 
that he will not come,” cried the Elector. 

Say rather that he can not come,” returned Elizabeth, 
while she gently forced back her husband, who in his excite- 
ment and impatience had made an effort to rise. Yes, I 
have letters from The Hague, my dear husband, letters from 
both our uncle, the Prince of Orange, and my mother, and 
I dare affirm that these letters have given me heartfelt joy, 
inasmuch as my uncle the Stadtholder, as well as my mother, 
write of our dear son that he is an accomplished Prince, in 


EVIL TIDINGS. 


15 


whom one may reasonably rejoice, and whom we may he 
proud to call our son. You know, George, that during these 
three years of his sojourn in Holland, we have ever had good 
and complimentary accounts of him. His tutor, von Kal- 
khun, has often reported to us with what diligence our son 
applied himself to his studies at Leyden, and that he had 
become quite a learned Prince, in whom even the professors 
themselves took peculiar delight. Then when he had fin- 
ished his course of studies at Leyden and went to Arnheim, 
where he met with the Princes William of Orange and Mau- 
rice of Nassau, they could not sufficiently laud the handsome 
appearance, lofty spirit, and noble heart of our young Elec- 
toral Prince.^^ 

“Truly,” muttered the Elector, “one could infer from 
your discourse that you are the mother of this highly praised 
lad. It is an old experience that mothers always find some- 
thing remarkable in their sons, and if they were to he be- 
lieved, then would the son of every mother be no ordinary 
specimen of mankind, hut a phoenix among all other men.” 

“ But, my well-beloved Elector, I have nevertheless told 
nothing hut the truth. Our son has been very successful in 
his studies these last three years in Holland, and has become 
a very learned and accomplished young man, who is well 
skilled in Latin and Greek, besides speaking German, French, 
and Italian in a masterly way. But most especially has he 
cultivated himself in a knowledge of the science of war, and 
the Princes of Orange and Nassau certify that he will as- 
suredly become hereafter a great general and warrior, so 
learnedly and wisely does he even now discourse upon the 
subject.” 

“Why do you say all this, Elizabeth?” asked the Elec- 
tor. “ Why do you praise our son, hut that you are conscious 
that he is deserving of censure, and has sinned grievously 
against us in not having so hastened his return home as to 
be here now instead of his letters? But that he has already 
set out on the journey home I can not for a moment doubt, 
and bitterly should he experience my fatherly wrath if it 
were not so. Just tell me in short, concise words, when does 
my son, the Electoral Prince, come?” 


16 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


My dear lord and husband,” said the Electress with re- 
luctance and visible embarrassment, would it not be best 
for you to speak on this subject with the chamberlain, Bal- 
thazar von Schlieben ” 

“ What! ” cried the Elector, springing from his seat — 
^^what! Is Schlieben here again — Schlieben, whom we sent 
to The Hague in order that he might conduct our son hither? 
He has come hack .without the Electoral Prince? ” 

Yes, my husband, he has come back,” replied the Elec- 
tress, winding her arms tenderly around her husband’s neck. 
‘‘ I entreat you most earnestly not to he angry before you 
have heard the reasons why the Electoral Prince does not 
come. I entreat you to admit Balthazar von Schlieben, and 
have an account rendered to you by him.” 

Yes! ” exclaimed the Elector, vehemently — ^^yes, I will 
see him. He shall render me an account. Where is he ? They 
must send for him directly; he must he summoned to me 
immediately! ” 

It is not necessary, George; he stands without there in 
the little passage leading to my apartments. I shall cause 
him to enter immediately. You must promise me first, though, 
my beloved husband, that you will listen to him without re- 
proaches and anger, and that you will say nothing in his 
presence against the only son given us by Heaven.” 

“ I shall make no promises that I can not keep,” cried the 
Elector warmly. ‘"I will speak with Schlieben. He must 
come in. Ho! Chamberlain Balthazar von Schlieben, come 
in, I charge you to come in.” 

The little arras door opened and disclosed to view a slen- 
der, tall young man, in gold-laced blue uniform, with red 
facings. 

At the command of your Electoral Grace,” he said, mak- 
ing a reverential obeisance. 

Come hither, Schlieben,” cried George William, close 
up to me, that I may see if you are actually he who dares to 
return here without the one after whom I sent him. So! 
Look me straight in the face, and tell me why I sent you to 
Holland three months ago, and what was your errand there? ” 

‘‘ Your Electoral Highness, I was sent by your grace to 


EVIL TIDINGS. 17 

Holland, in order that I might conduct hither his Highness 
the Electoral Prince.” 

“ Well, then, where is the Electoral Prince? ” 

Your Electoral Highness, he is at present still at The 
Hague, and most urgently and most submissively he be- 
seeches your Electoral Highness through me that he may be 
permitted to remain there at least for the winter.” 

He is yet at The Hague! ”• cried the Elector. He 
ventures thus to brave me — to oppose himself to my strict 
injunctions? Or have you not handed him my letter, Schlie- 
ben? Or have you not repeated to him all that I said and 
urged you by word of mouth to convey to him? Did you not 
inform him that I ordered him, under penalty of my princely 
and fatherly displeasure, to set out and journey hither in the 
speediest manner possible? ” 

“ Your Electoral Highness, I carried out exactly every 
command given me by your highness, and the Electoral 
Prince surely would not have delayed an instant gratifying 
the demands of his revered father, if many concurring cir- 
cumstances had not made it impossible for him. The Elec- 
toral Prince has himself more narrowly pointed out and ex- 
plained these in this letter, which he has charged me to de- 
liver to your highness.” 

And with a deep inclination the chamberlain extended 
a large sealed packet to his Sovereign. 

George William took it with angry impatience, and so 
curious was he to read the contents of the packet that he 
hastily tore off the cover, the sooner to arrive at its purport. 
A closely written sheet of fine paper was within the cover, 
and the Elector unfolded it with eager hands. But after 
looking at this a long while, he shook his head passionately, 
and the fiush of anger on his countenance grew yet darker. 

What sort of new-fashioned, disrespectful handwriting 
is this? ” growled George William. This is not at all as if 
it had been written by a prince’s son, but by a scholar who 
had carefully sought to crowd as many lines as possible into 
one page in order to save paper. A prince should never re- 
nounce or be unmindful of his own dignity. But it is unbe- 
coming, indeed, and unworthy of a prince to write such a 


18 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


line hand, as if he were a scholar or a writing master. I can 
not read these small intricate characters. Read the letter 
to me, Electress, in short, share it with me from the first.^^ 

The Electress took the sheet held out to her, and read 
it over with hurried glances. The Electoral Prince uses 
the most humble, submissive words,’’ she said, finally. It is 
just the letter of an obedient and respectful son, who is all 
anxiety to obey the commands of his father, and who is 
deeply grieved that he must nevertheless go contrary to them.” 

“ Must? ” cried George William. Be pleased to tell me 
why he must.” 

Only hear, my lord and husband, what the Prince writes 
about it,” said the Electress, and with loud voice she read: 
“ ‘ There are various circumstances which compel me to pro- 
long my stay in this country. In the first place. Admiral 
Tromp is here, and he is very useful in aiding me to arrive 
at a more perfect knowledge of nautical affairs, as, also, the 
condescension and kindness of my uncle, the Prince of Orange, 
that great general, affords me a glorious opportunity of per- 
fecting myself in the science of war. And I think that, the 
more I learn and study here, the more capable will I become 
of serving hereafter under your highness. But, apart from 
these things, it would be exceedingly difficult at this season 
of the year and under the present conditions, to make the 
long journey from The Hague to Prussia; most probably it 
would consume a half year, and the expenses would be enor- 
mous, while next summer I might easily accomplish the jour- 
ney in two months. The voyage by sea would be next to 
impossible during this present winter on account of the vio- 
lent storms, which might occasion tedious delays. More- 
over, I dread the privateers of Dunkirk, against which the 
Dutch convoy could hardly protect me. But yet more 
formidable seems the journey by land in the existing state 
of the times. In Westphalia the Hessians and Swedes rove 
about, rendering the roads unsafe. Even should I take my 
way over the flats, along the strand, yet the Swedish and 
Hessian troops could easily catch up with me, and overpower 
the escort promised me for safe-conduct by the counts of 
East Friesland and Oldenburg and the Bishop of Bremen. 


EVIL TIDINGS. 


19 


Or should I bend my course through Upper Germany and 
Franconia, there, again, other hindrances present themselves, 
for throughout all these provinces reigns the greatest wretched- 
ness — men even devouring one another for hunger. On that 
account my uncle, the Prince Stadtholder himself, has op- 
posed my undertaking the journey, considering it too dan- 
gerous. A deputation f^om the duchy of Cleves has also 
come and begged me to postpone my departure, since they 
had petitioned your grace anew to leave me in the duchy of 
Cleves as their stadtholder. And if all this were not so, there 
is yet another reason which must prevent my departure from 
here. But this I dare not commit to writing, for a letter 
may he so easily lost, and to read such a thing would furnish 
our enemies an occasion of rejoicing and triumph. There- 
fore I have told all to young Balthazar von Schliehen, and 
he will in my name faithfully and most reverentially com- 
municate to you, your Electoral Highness and my most gra- 
cious father, the true and principal cause which prevents 
my setting forth from Holland.’ ” 

Well, speak then! ” cried the Elector impatiently. 

Speak, Schliehen — what is it? ” 

Will not my lord and husband first hear the Electoral 
Prince’s letter to the end? ” asked the Electress. Here fol- 
low some cordial, affectionate words, and assurances of the 
most filial respect and most submissive love.” 

Can I value them, 5^es, can lvalue any of them all?” 
answered George William passionately. When we will prove 
nothing by deeds, then we make speeches, and when we are 
disobedient in act, then we asseverate with words of love and 
reverence. Speak, then, Balthazar von Schliehen, since you 
have been thus commissioned by the Electoral Prince. What 
is this most weighty of reasons which forbids the departure of 
the Electoral Prince from Holland?” 

Your Electoral Highness, it is debt, it is the total want 
of money.” 

The Elector started up as if an adder had stung him. 

Debts!” he cried in thundering voice. ^^Want of money! 
Will this litany never, never cease? What a wild, extrava- 
gant life the Electoral Prince must lead to he for ever and 


20 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


ever wanting money, and no sooner are his debts paid than 
he contracts new ones! 

‘'Husband,” said the Electress soothingly, “it does not 
reflect upon the life our son leads that he is out of money, hut 
proves that he has not received a sufficiently ample allow- 
ance. Just reflect that three years ago, when he undertook 
this journey to Holland, you did not give him a red cent, 
and that I had to give him from my little savings three thou- 
sand dollars that he might he able to travel at all.* A con- 
siderable portion of this must have been expended during the 
tedious journey, with his retinue.” 

“If any one were to listen to you, Electress, he would 
really suppose that the Electoral Prince had lived upon those 
three thousand dollars lent him by you from that time up 
to the present. You forget, however, that, already in the 
year 1636, therefore the very next year after the Electoral 
Prince set out upon his journey, the states at the diet of 
Konigsberg voted the large sum of seven thousand dollars 
to the Electoral Prince for the prosecution of his studies, 
over which they made a great outcry even then, since the 
owner of each rood of land must he taxed flve groschen to 
pay for these acquirements, bringing down, no doubt, many 
a curse upon his Latin and Greek.f From these two sources 
alone, then, he has had ten thousand dollars to disburse in 
three years, which for so young a gentleman would surely 
seem sufficient. Besides, just half a year ago, on his repeated 
application to me for money, I sent him again one thousand 
dollars, insomuch as he felt himself compelled to purchase 
a stately equipage.” 

“ That was the time, husband, when our son went from 
Leyden to Arnheim, to reside there for a long while. There, 
of course, he was obliged to have a small household about 
him, in order to maintain the dignity of his father and his 
house, for there, too, dwelt the Princes of Orange and Nassau, 
and our son, the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, in order 
not to he surpassed by them, must, like them, hold his court.” 

“ And unfortunately living is very expensive in Holland,” 

* Vide von Orlich, History of the Prussian State, etc., part 1, p. 34. 

f Vide von Orlich, History of the Prussian State, etc., part 1, p. 35. 


EVIL TIDINGS. 


21 


remarked tKe Chamberlain von Schlieben. Your Electoral 
Grace had sent one thousand dollars to the Electoral Prince 
for the purchase of an equipage, but this sum was by no means 
adequate. The coach alone cost seven hundred dollars.” 

“ Seven hundred dollars! ” cried the Elector, amazed. 
“ How can one pay so much money for a mere wooden box? ” 

“ If it please your highness, the coaches in Holland are 
not by any means wooden boxes, merely painted, varnished, 
and gilded a little within and without, having hard leather- 
covered seats. The Electoral Prince’s coach is hung within 
and without in red velvet and satin, for this custom and usage 
require of a princely personage in Holland; besides, a set 
of four horses must be bought, and each of these cost one 
hundred and forty dollars. Your Electoral Highness sees 
clearly, therefore, that one thousand dollars could not suffice 
to cover the expense, for coach and horses alone cost more 
than that, and now must be added the liveries and harness, 
besides the wages of coachman, footmen, and lackeys.” 

Yes, I see plainly that my dear son leads a stately, ex- 
travagant life,” cried the Elector. I see well that it is high 
time for him to come away from there, and learn that an 
Elector of Brandenburg must adapt himself to his means, 
and, instead of riding in a coach drawn by four horses, must 
drive in a miserable rattle-trap pulled by two paltry beasts. 
It is therefore full time that the Electoral Prince were with- 
drawn from the scenes of his pomp and pride, and were taught 
again to live simply and sparingly. He must and shall return 
home! Finally, I am sick and tired of this eternal negotiating, 
this writing to and fro, and it really is high time that this 
should have an end. For a year already I have been in treaty 
with the young gentleman concerning his return home, and 
last of all dispatched my chamberlain to enjoin it upon him 
as my most decided and express will that the Prince come 
home, and start forthwith. But he has an obstinate disposi- 
tion, and sends the Chamberlain von Schlieben back, and 
tranquilly remain there, where he is so well pleased, living as 
he does in pomp and luxury, while I have hardly enough 
money to live along scantily and with the strictest economy.” 

^^But only consider, my dear husband,” said the Elec- 


22 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


tress persuasively — only consider that it is not from high- 
mindedness or disobedience that the Electoral Prince tarries 
in Holland. Indeed, he can not get away while he has no 
money, and on that very account most urgently appeals to 
the kindest of all fathers, through the Chamberlain von 
Schliehen, reverentially begging and beseeching him to extri- 
cate him from his difficulties by sending him money enough 
to pay his debts, and to enable him to travel as becomes his 
rank.” 

Money, and always money! ” cried the Elector, almost 
in a tone of despair. ^^0 God! what a tormented, • unhappy 
man I am! Every one has something to crave of me, and 
no one anything to give me! When I demand of the states, 
provinces, cities, citizens, and peasants funds to defray my 
expenses, then from all sides I hear: ^ We have no money; 
we are so reduced that we can pay no taxes.^ And still all 
these states, provinces, cities, citizens, and peasants demand 
of me money and support, succor and alms, although they 
know that I have nothing, for they give me nothing. Money! 
money! That word has been my tormentor and enemy ever 
since I began to rule; sleeping and waking that word has 
pursued me. From all officers, from all subalterns I have 
heard it, as often as they came near me, and now comes my 
dear son, too, afflicting and harassing his poor, unfortunate 
father with this dreaded word. But I shall not suffer him to 
employ this hated word in his own behalf and turn it against 
me for his own advantage. I shall not allow him to remain 
longer at The Hague under pretext that he lacks money to 
bring him home. He shall have money, yes, he shall have 
it. I shall see to procuring it. It must be done.” 

My dear lord and husband,” besought the Electress, '' I 
entreat you not to be so much excited, for it might injure 
you.” 

''And I entreat you to leave me now. Lady Electress,” 
said George William impatiently. "It is useless to exhort 
one to tranquillity and composure, who has so much reason 
to be roused and provoked. But this fine son of ours shall 
pay for the vexation and torture that he has prepared for 
me. He may reckon upon my setting it down to his account, 


EVIL TIDINGS. 


23 


and not allowing myself to be cheated by empty speeches and 
by fine actions in word alone. You are dismissed, Sir Cham- 
berlain von Schlieben! Badly enough have you fulfilled my 
commission, and you may be sure that never again shall you 
be selected as our messenger and legate! ” 

“ Permit me, my husband, to put in a good word for poor 
Schlieben! ” cried the Electress. “ He had no power to bring 
the Electoral Prince away by force, just as the Electoral 
Prince himself has no power to leave of his own free 
will. The whole difficulty consists in our son’s having no 
money.” 

Yes, and right welcome is it to him, this time,” said the 
Elector with a bitter laugh. “ As he has no money, he contin- 
ually contracts more and more debts, thereby rendering the 
payment more difficult, and the longer the delay the longer 
can the Prince remain in Holland, leading a merry life there. 
But I shall make an end of it, an end! Schwarzenberg shall 
come, and he must and will procure me the means. Excuse 
me. Lady Electress, I have business — pressing business.” 

“ I withdraw, my lord and husband,” said Elizabeth, bow- 
ing ceremonially, and, turning to the Chamberlain von Schlie- 
ben, who was just sliding toward the door with pale, dis- 
turbed countenance, she continued: “ Sir Chamberlain, fol- 
low me! You must tell me more about my dear Electoral 
Prince and all my dear relatives, whom you have seen and 
spoken with at The Hague.” 

The countenance of the chamberlain lighted up, and with 
a grateful glance he followed the Electress through the side 
door into her own apartments. 

The Elector was alone. His head sank upon his breast, 
and he stood deeply absorbed in thought. But after a pause 
he slowly raised his head, and his sorrowful glance fell di- 
rectly upon the portrait of his father, J ohn Sigismund, whose 
sad, pale face was turned, toward him, with its dark, melan- 
choly eyes. 

Poor father! ” murmured the Elector with a heavy sigh, 
I understand quite well and easily conceive why you volun- 
tarily laid down your power and retired from the government 
before death had sent his summons.. An Elector of Branden- 


24 : 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


burg has by no means a comfortable, pleasant life of it; and 
a sorely oppressive inheritance have I received from you, so 
that I, too, might despair, and do as you have done. I, too, 
might rid myself of the hard task of seeming to be an Elector 
and reigning sovereign, while I am naught but a poor, much- 
tormented man, who has more titles than lands, more debts 
than money, and whose nation consists not of obedient sub- 
jects but of obstinate brawlers, a mob of would-be politicians 
and starved-out people. No! no! he Cried, interrupting 
himself, ‘‘no! I shall not give my son so much joy. I shall not 
do him the pleasure of yielding up the power to him, and 
being thrown aside myself like a squeezed lemon. No, Elec- 
tor I shall remain, and my lordly son shall submit to the. 
paternal will, and return home. Schwarzenberg must provide 
me with the means. He is the very man for this — he under- 
stands it! ” 

The Elector reached out again for his silver whistle and 
sounded a shrill call. Immediately one of the outer doors 
was opened, admitting a lackey. The Elector had already 
opened his mouth, to issue his commands, when he suddenly 
grew dumb and looked at the lackey with a still more clouded 
brow. 

“ Fellow,’^ he said angrily, “ how dare you appear in this 
presence with such a dress? With your short bearskin jacket 
and patched hose, you present such a pitiably mean appear- 
ance that I am actually ashamed to behold you.” 

“ Pardon, your Electoral Grace,” stammered the servant 
vdth downcast air, I can not help it, and I am woefully 
ashamed myself that I must dare to come thus before my 
most gracious lord the Elector. A heavy misfortune has hap- 
pened to my livery coat. I left it hanging on a nail, and tore 
a fearfully large three-cornered rent in it, on which the court 
tailor says he will have to stitch a whole day, and even then 
it may not be presentable after all. The livery coat, there- 
fore, is at the tailor’s, which is the reason why I must appear 
in my jacket.” 

* “ You should have put on another coat,” cried the Elector, 
impatiently, “for it is contrary to respect that you should 
enter in such shabby style.” 


EVIL TIDINGS. 


25 


^'Another coat?” asked the lackey, with an expression 
of the highest astonishment. “ Pardon, your Electoral High- 
ness, I have only that one coat! ” 

“ What! ” exclaimed the Elector. “ Only one coat! Did 
I not order that new livery coats should be made for you 
lackeys before our removal from Konigsherg? ” 

“ It was done, your Electoral Grace, we received our new 
livery coats before we left Konigsherg.” 

‘‘Well, then, where are the old ones?” 

“ Your Electoral Grace, the master of the wardrobe sold 
the old ones to the Jews at Konigsherg, who paid him a good 
sum of rtioney for them, for the old livery coats were trimmed 
with genuine gold lace, but the new ones are cheaper, for it 
is only gilt or ” 

“ Hold your tongue and begone! ” cried the Elector. “ If 
you have no coat, then from to-day I dispense with your serv- 
ices, and Jocelyn shall take your place.” 

“ Forgive me, your Electoral Highness, but J ocelyn is in 
confinement. The master of the wardrobe had him put in 
the guardhouse three days ago.” 

“ Wherefore then — what has Jocelyn done that the mas- 
ter of the wardrobe should have him put into prison? ” 

“ He was obstinate, your highness. The paymaster has not 
distributed to us our wages for two months, so that none of 
us has a groschen in his pocket. When we reached Berlin, 
three days ago, Jocelyn found his old mother miserably sick 
and well-nigh starved, for the Imperialists have thoroughly 
pillaged Berlin, and robbed the old woman of her last pos- 
session. She had nothing to eat, and still less could she afford 
to send for a doctor and buy medicines. So, in his desperation, 
Jocelyn went to the paymaster and begged of him his month’s 
w'ages, but was told that he could have nothing now, because 
the journey from Prussia here had cost so much money that 
all the coffers were empty; but that in the course of eight 
days the paymaster might be in funds again, and that then 
we should all have what was due us. But, on account of his 
old mother, Jocelyn could not wait, and so in desperation 
went off and sold his new livery coat to an old-clothes man, 
and carried the money to his mother. And for that reason. 


26 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


your Electoral Grace, poor Jocelyn now sits in the guard- 
house.” 

The Elector had turned away, and gazed from the window 
down into the pleasure garden, the branches of whose green 
trees nearly touched the windows of the apartment. He 
could no longer meet the glance of the lackey Conrad; he 
would not have him witness his mortification and the painful 
twitchings of his mouth. But after a while he turned again 
to old Conrad, who had crept softly toward the door, not 
venturing to go out without permission from his master. 

You see well, old man,” said the Elector confidentially, 
‘^that our affairs are not in so prosperous a condition as for- 
merly when you entered my service, and were the body serv- 
ant of the merry, cheerful young Electoral Prince. Now 
that Electoral Prince has become a very sad, serious, and 
poverty-stricken Elector, who has lived through much afflic- 
tion, and must content himself, despite his glorious title, 
with being a poor tormented man, and therefore also a pee- 
vish man. I was once otherwise; that you know. But debts 
make the wildest tame and the most joyous fretful, as you see 
in me, old Conrad. But now listen! ” 

He stepped to his writing table and drew forth a long 
purse with meshes of green silk and gold. Carefully counting, 
he shook some money out of the purse into his hand and then 
handed it to Conrad. 

Conrad, there are twelve dollars. Do you know the Jew 
to whom Jocelyn sold his livery coat? ” 

Yes, I know him, your highness.” 

Then go, Conrad, and buy hack the coat. How much did 
the Jew pay for it? ” 

Six dollars, your Electoral Highness.” 

‘‘^Return him five dollars for it, and tell him that the 
dollar subtracted is by way of punishment for his having 
dared to purchase the coat of one of the servants belonging 
to the electoral household, for he must know that it is not 
the lackey’s hut electoral property. But if the Jew ventures 
to grumble, then say to him that I shall have him watched 
and his false dealings inquired into. When you have obtained 
the coat, carry it to the master of the wardrobe, and tell him 


EVIL TIDINGS. 


27 


to release Jocelyn from the guardhouse and permit him to 
wear his coat again. Say to him that it is my command. 
And now go and attend to this matter for me.” 

Forgive me, your Electoral Grace, but I know not yet 
what to do with the rest of the money. When I shall have 
redeemed Jocelyn’s coat with five dollars, there will yet re- 
main seven dollars besides, and I beg of your highness to 
point out what disposition I must make of them.” 

What wages do the lackeys receive by the month? ” 

“ One rixdollar and four groschen, your highness! ” 

“ That makes four dollars and sixteen groschen owing to 
you and Jocelyn, since the paymaster is in your debt for two 
months’ wages. There will still be a remainder of two dollars 
and eight groschen, which you must give to Jocelyn to take to 
his old mother, not, however, as if it came from me, but as 
his own gift.” 

Ah! your Electoral Highness, what a kind, gracious 
master you are! ” cried Conrad, with tears in his eyes. “ Only 
extend this one act of goodness and condescension: permit 
your old Conrad to kiss your hand and thank you for the favor 
your highness has shown to Jocelyn and myself, and be not 
offended at your old servant for asking such a thing, since it 
is only out of love and hearty respect.” 

“ I know it, Conrad, I know it,” said the Elector, reaching 
out his hand to the old man, and permitting him to press it 
to his lips. know your good, faithful heart, which has 
never swerved from its duty these twenty years that you have 
been in my service. Go now, old man, and do as I have bidden 
you. But hear! Ho one need know that I have paid you and 
Jocelyn your month’s wages, for then they would all come 
to be paid by me; and the paymaster was quite right — our 
coffers are empty, and we must take account of everything 
until they are filled again. .Keep silent, then, both of you. 
I shall tell the paymaster myself that I have just meddled a 
little in his affairs. 

But now, hear one thing more, Conrad. Go straightway 
across into Broad Street, to the house of his excellency the 
Stadtholder in the Mark, Count von Schwarzenberg. We 
request his excellency to take the trouble to come immediately 


28 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


to us. Say from me that we have weighty business to transact 
with him that admits of no delay. Therefore, we entreat his 
excellency to come hither forthwith.” 

Pardon, your highness,” said Conrad, anxiously and con- 
fusedly; my dresscoat is still at the court tailor’s. Must I 
go across in my jacket? At the Stadtholder’s everything is 
so fearfully fine and stately. The lackeys, too, put on such 
airs that an electoral lackey can not stand up to them at all; 
they are, besides, haughty, supercilious fellows, who think 
themselves very grand, and fancy they are something quite 
uncommon, and almost more than one of us, who are court 
lackeys to your highness. Would it not make the fellows re- 
joice to see me in this jacket and ” 

Never mind; go across in your jacket,” said the Elector, 
laughing. Remember always that you are the servant of the 
master, and those spruce fellows hut the lackeys of the serv- 
ant, although I must say that the servant is a much richer, 
more magnificent man than his master. Run and bring the 
Stadtholder to me! ” 


III. — Count Adam von Schwarzenbeeg. 

I THANK you. Master Gabriel Nietzel, I thank you with 
my whole heart, for you have indeed prepared me a great 
pleasure,” cried Count Adam von Schwarzenherg, at the same 
time nodding pleasantly to the young man who stood beside 
him. Then he was lost again in contemplation of the picture 
before which they both stood, and which was mounted upon 
an easel in one of the deep hay windows of the lofty apart- 
ment. 

I well knew that my most gracious lord would take pleas- 
ure in this glorious work of art,” said Master Gabriel Nietzel, 
smiling, and therefore have I spared neither expense, toil, 
nor danger in bringing to your excellency this noble paint- 
ing of the great Italian master.” 

And I am astonished that you have succeeded, master,” 


COUNT ADAM VON SCHWARZENBERO. 


29 


exclaimed the count, changing his position before the picture, 
in order to examine it in a new light, from a different point 
of view. 

Most gracious sir, if I had had in the box which I guarded 
so closely hams or other edibles, instead of this picture, or 
even articles of clothing or munitions of war, then surely I 
should have failed in bringing it here from Italy, consider- 
ing all the bands of soldiers and robbers who fly through 
the German empire now, like a swarm of bees, and like locusts 
leave in their train, wherever they alight, want and wretched- 
ness.” 

Yes, yes,” cried Count Schwarzenberg, with a short, 
peculiar laugh, right ill things look throughout this holy 
German empire; poverty, war, and pestilence are the locusts 

of which you speak, and But why do you remind me 

of these unpleasant things? Let me enjoy one quarter af 
an hour’s refreshment and joy. Let me forget care for just 
a little while, and feast my eyes upon the sight of this glorious 
woman! ” 

It is a Venus,” said Master Gabriel with diffidence, the 
so-called Venus with the Mirror. Master Titian has twice 
painted this design, only that in one picture two Cupids ap- 
pear, while the other shows only one Love.” 

Very naturally,” laughed the count. When the great 
Titian painted the first picture one Love only existed, while 
at the second representation a second Love had arrived for 
the beautiful woman, to her own ineffable delight and that of 
her beloved Master Titiano Vecellio.” 

Pardon, your excellency,” remarked Master Gabriel, 
indeed the painting represents a Venus.” 

There you are now, poor child of man,” cried Schwarz- 
enberg, laughing aloud, so properly reserved and so affect- 
edly modest! A mere woman in her primitive beauty would 
wound your sense of propriety, and you would not venture 
to look at her, but a goddess has permission to appear with- 
out earthly clothing, and you dare, casting reserve aside, to 
lift your eyes to her glorious form. And besides, in your 
humility and modesty, you think that a woman of such godlike 
shape may not be found upon earth, therefore you exalt her 


30 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


to the gods, and therefore you call her a Venus, who is only 
the most voluptuous, beautiful, and charming of women.’^ 
With upraised finger Master Gabriel pointed toward the 
naked little boys who, exquisitely fair, stood behind Venus 
and held her mirror for her. 

That is an angel, as your grace sees, for he has wings 
upon his shoulders,” he said, timidly. 

But Count Adam von Schwarzenherg hastily took the 
master’s finger and directed it to another part of the picture. 

It is a woman,” he cried, laughing, “ for she has flung 
a covering around her hips, and you can never make me be- 
lieve that Venus upon Olympus wore velvet edged with ermine. 
But let us quit this strife! A beautiful woman is always a 
goddess, and he who would not acknowledge that would be 
a real heathen and barbarian. I will therefore comply with 
your wish, and entitle this wondrous woman a Venus. And 
I keep her, your Venus. Name the price, master, and you 
shall immediately receive your pay.” 

paid two thousand ducats for the painting in Cre- 
mona, where I had the good luck to discover it, on my return 
from Rome,” replied Master Gabriel Nietzel, with anxious 
countenance and timid manner, as if he dreaded an explosion 
of wrath on the part of the count, who was everywhere recog- 
nized and decried as avaricious and greedy of gain. “ Add 
to that two hundred ducats to cover my bare outlay for the 
packing and freight. The rest, which concerns my trouble 
and need, and the perils I endured when we, that is to say, 
Venus and I, were seized by hands of soldiers and ransomed — 
all this can not he calculated, and in humility I leave it to 
your grace to compensate me as you may see fit.” 

Two thousand ducats for the picture, two hundred for 
expenses incurred! A tolerably high price, indeed, for a little 
piece of painted canvas! ” cried the count, with a smile. For 
that amount a whole regiment of Brandenburg soldiers might 
he armed and equipped, to aid the Elector in conquering his 
dukedom of Pomerania. But what is that dirty, cloAvn-trodden, 
commonplace Pomerania in comparison with this heavenly 
woman, or, if you prefer, this earthly Venus. Go, Master 
Gabriel, go directly to my treasurer, and get him to count 


COUNT ADAM VON SCHWARZENBERG. 31 

out to you three thousand ducats. Eight hundred ducats 
for your toil and danger. Are you content, master? ’’ 

Your excellence, you pay like the greatest of lords and 
emperors! ” cried the painter, with joy-beaming countenance. 
‘‘ You make me forever your debtor, and so long as I live I 
shall be ready to serve you.” 

"Now, if you mean that in earnest, Gabriel, an oppor- 
tunity presents itself at this very time.” 

" Try me, your excellency, give me a commision, how- 
ever difficult, and my most gracious lord shall he forced 
to admit that I have executed it most faithfully and val- 
iantly.” y' 

" Now listen, then, master! I herewith constitute you 
my agent; I take you into my pay and service. Were I a 
reigning prince, then I should say, I make you my court 
painter; hut being only the little Count Schwarzenberg, 
the ” 

" Stadtholder in the Mark,” interrupted Gabriel, with 
ready glibness of tongue, " Grand Master of the Order of St. 
John, first counselor and minister of the Elector of Branden- 
burg, president of the electoral counsel of state, lord and 
owner of many lands and estates, count of the empire, 
and ” 

" Silence, silence! enough of that! ” exclaimed the count, 
waving him off. " It is with me, as with the Elector. We 
both have manifold titles, but they bring us in little enough, 
and no money appertains to them. You have sketched me 
graphically, master; be quiet now, and listen to me again in 
silence. I therefore take you into my pay and service, and 
give you from this day forward an annuity of five hundred 
dollars, which will be delivered to you quarterly. Hush, 
hush! do not speak! I read a question in your eyes and fea- 
tures, and I will forthwith supply the answer. Your question 
runs. What have I to do for this annuity? And the answer 
is. Travel about in the world as a free man to hunt up pictures, 
and when they are worth it, to purchase them for me. But 
above all things, to tell no one that you are in my service, but 
to keep this as a secret between us two. Pictures you must 
buy for me; that is all you have to do, master. But some- 


32 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


times you must allow me to dictate to you — where to journey 
in quest of my pictures. For example, now: You have been 
in Italy, prosecuting your studies there, and have opportunely 
brought home to me, thence, a Venus, because I desired you 
to make a few purchases for me. You have seen how de- 
lighted I was with the beautiful picture, but, on the whole, 
I have taken a greater fancy to landscapes and representa- 
tions of comedy, and the Flemish painters are the ones I 
peculiarly admire. There are the Teniers, father and son, 
who have painted the most charming and amusing country 
scenes and comic pieces, and there is another young man, 
Wouvermann by name, who is said, although youthful in 
years, to possess great talents, and to understand not merely 
how to paint splendid clowns, but battle scenes as well. Now, I 
should like of all things to possess a couple of pictures by each 
of these three painters, and since the Teniers lived at Amster- 
dam and The Hague, and Wouvermann now resides at The 
Hague, I wish you to go to The Hague and make a few pur- 
chases there for me. But, mark well, without saying that 
you come there in my employ, or that you have a contract 
with me. I should much prefer your assuming the appearance 
of belonging to my enemies, and sounding in unison with 
them the trumpet of abuse.” 

“Your excellency, how could I venture it, and how can 
you require of my grateful heart, that it so belie itself, and 
allow my lips to speak other than words of gratitude and 
reverence?” 

“ I empower you so to do. Master Gabriel Nietzel, yes, I 
require it of you, that you carry such words upon your lips, 
especially if you are in the presence of the Electoral Prince 
Frederick William.” 

“The Electoral Prince?” asked the painter in astonish- 
ment. “ Your excellency will send me to the Electoral Prince 
at The Hague? ” 

“ On the contrary, you shall act before him as if you hated 
me, and belonged to the party of my opponents. But you 
must by all means reach the Electoral Prince, must seek to 
remain in his neighborhood, and to gain his confidence. You 
are a lively fellow, and have studied life at its fountains in 


COUNT ADAM VON SCHWARZENBERG. 


33 


Italy. The Electoral Prince loves gay company, and you may 
impart to him a little of your knowledge of life, and teach 
him that youth must enjoy without scruple or reserve. Be 
his maitre deplaisir^ Master Gabriel; lead him into the temple 
of art, and teach him that each fair woman is a Venus, a god- 
dess, and therefore deserving of his worship. You are a clever 
painter, and also, as I have heard from Rome, know well how 
to sip of life’s sweets; and these are two fine talents, which 
you must convert into money. For this purpose I send you 
to Holland. You are to buy pictures for me and to help the 
Electoral Prince to while away the hours and enjoy life. I 
shall rejoice if you succeed, and it would be agreeable to me 
for you to transmit to me exact accounts, every week, of your 
efforts, and of the life you lead there with the Electoral Prince. 
You can write. Master Gabriel Metzel?” 

“ Yes, I can write; but ” 

Well, what signifies that and wherefore do you look 
all at once so gloomy and so cross? Peradventure my com- 
mission does not please you? ” 

Ho, your excellency, it does not please me, and I can not 
undertake it! ” cried Master Gabriel, indignantly. “ You send 
me to The Hague, not as a painter, but — let me call the thing 
by its right name — ^but as a spy, and, what is yet more, as the 
corrupter of the Electoral Prince! ” 

“ And that pleases not your virtue and your honesty? ” 
asked the count, shrugging his shoulders. Well, good then, 
dear master! Stick to it! Let all that we have said to one 
another be unsaid. Remain an honorable, independent hero 
of virtue, paint pictures, and see to it that you sell them, and 
if you do not succeed, then be contented to paint signboards 
for merchants and their walls for burghers, and console your- 
self with this, that you have refused a higher career from 
principles of virtue and magnanimity. Take your Venus, 
Master Champion of Virtue; I had not commissioned the pur- 
chase, and she is too dear for me. We are released from our 
mutual obligations, and have nothing more to do with one 
another. Go! ” 

“ Will not your excellency keep the picture? ” asked Hiet- 
zel, shocked, great drops of agony standing upon his pale 


34 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


brow. not your excellency indemnify me for all my 

labors and expenses, and shall I go from you with 

With the proud consciousness of your virtue,” said the 
count, completing his sentence for him. Yes, that you shall. 
Master Gabriel. You shall bear in mind that Count von 
Schwarzenberg would have taken you into his service, and that 
you declined it, thereby exciting his wrath a little, which, 
as I have been told, has seldom turned to the advantage of 
those who have roused it, but always to their injury. How- 
ever, you care nothing for that; you defy the wrath of the 
Stadtholder in the Mark, you ” 

No farther, please, your excellency, no farther! ” cried 
out Gabriel, pale as death. Forgive my excitement and my 
struggles. I pray you to forget my improper words, and accept 
me for your humble and obedient servant. You must do me 
the favor to keep the Venus of Master Titiano Yecellio, for 
she is my only possession, and I have given away my whole 
property in her purchase.” 

Speak more clearly, master! ” cried the count. You 
mean to say I must keep your copy of the Venus, and pay 
for it as if it were an original one, for on that you base all 
your hopes.” 

Your excellency! ” stammered Master Gabriel in terror, 
^^you do not suppose ” 

That this painting here is a copy, which you executed, 
and afterward hung up a couple of days in the chimney, to 
give it the appearance of a picture an hundred years old? 
Yes, my good man, I do indeed suppose so, and willingly grant 
you my testimony to the effect that you have very faithfully 
copied Titian, and expended much toil and trouble upon it.” 

Most gracious count, I swear to you, that I have been 
slandered — that -” 

“ Swear no oath,” said the count earnestly and severely. 
" You did not buy this picture at Cremona, but copied it in 
the palace Grimani at Venice, and worked upon it three whole 
months. You see I am well informed, and have my friends 
everywhere who furnish me with intelligence, and regard it 
as an honor to be my — spies, as you would say.” 

Mercy, gracious lord, mercy! ” cried Metzel, bursting 


COUNT ADAM VON SCHWARZENBERG. 


35 


into tears, and sinking upon his knees before the proud, lofty 
form of the count. Pardon for my crime, for my presump- 
tion! I was in such great want and distress that I knew not 
how else to help myself, and I swear to you that my copy is 
so faithful and exact that it can not he distinguished from 
its original.” 

Well, no matter; we shall hang it up as an original, and 
allow it to he inspected by the connoisseurs of the electorate,” 
said the count, laughing. I keep your Titiano Yecellio, Mas- 
ter Metzel, and consequently pay you three thousand ducats 
for this excellent original. That you may see how much 
in earnest I am I will immediately give you an order upon 
my treasurer, and you may forthwith receive that sum.” 

He approached his writing table, rapidly dashed off a few 
words upon a strip of paper, and then handed it to the painter. 

There, take it. Master Gabriel Metzel, and collect your 
money.” 

The painter gave him a long, astonished gaze. “ You for- 
give me, your excellency,” he said; “ you accept my high esti- 
mate, although you know that I have cheated you and that 
this is only a copy? ” 

^^What difference does that make? The picture is beau- 
tiful, and it gives me pleasure to look at it, and that is the 
only thing, after all, that I can require of a painting.” 

Master Metzel hastily seized the count’s hand, and pressed 
it to his lips. Most gracious sir,” he cried, you have pur- 
chased my Venus with your money, my heart with your mag- 
nanimity! Henceforth I am yours, body and soul, and it is 
just, as if ” 

“ As if you had leagued yourself with the devil, is it not? ” 
laughed the count. 

Ho, as if I had no longer any other will than yours — 
that is what I wished to say, most gracious lord. Only com- 
mand me, say what I must do, and it shall he done.” 

^^You go, then, to Holland, and purchase pictures there 
for me, and study the Flemish painters?” 

I will go to Holland, your excellency.” 

You will seek to gain access to the Electoral Prince, to 
acquire influence over him, and to cheer him up a little?” 


36 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


I shall do as your grace directs.’’ 

“You will send me weekly a written statement of all 
that you see and hear there? ” 

“ I shall send you a written statement/’ replied Gabriel, 
with downcast eyes and a hardly suppressed sigh: 

The count saw it and smiled contemptuously. “ You will 
write these reports to me in ciphers, which I shall acquaint 
you with, and swear to me that you will give the key to these 
ciphers to no human being? ” 

“ I swear it, your excellency.” 

“ Now, since you are so docile and obedient, my dear 
Master Gabriel, I shall raise your salary. I had promised you 
an annuity of five hundred dollars — I shall now make it six 
hundred dollars. Hush! no word of thanks; I can imagine 
them all or read them in your countenance, and that satisfies 
me. Only one thing remains to be decided. From whom will 
you receive letters of recommendation to the Electoral 
Prince? ” 

“ Your excellency, I believe the Electress will have the 
kindness to furnish me with a letter of recommendation to 
her son. Her most gracious highness is very favorably in- 
clined toward me because I painted from memory a minia- 
ture of the Electoral Prince, and presented it to her. Since 
then she has been very condescending to me, and never refuses 
me admittance to her presence, and I may as well acknowl- 
edge to your excellency that a few days ago the Electress 
hinted at the probability of a position being offered me as 
electoral court painter.” 

The count laughed aloud. “ I congratulate you, master, 
and especially upon the salary which will be attached to the 
office. Only do not be puffed up and reject the little I have 
offered you, which you can always draw in secret, even when 
you have become electoral court painter. It is well for affairs 
to stand thus just at this juncture, for it will be easy for the 
electoral court painter to gain access to the Electoral Prince, 
and to be received into the number of his household. Repair 
to the Electress forthwith, tell her that you wish to travel to 
Holland in order to prosecute your artistic studies there, and 
come to me early to-morrow morning and acquaint me with 


COUNT ADAM VON SCHWARZENBERG. 


37 


the result of your audience. Farewell, Master Gabriel; go 
first to my treasurer and then to the Electress. No, no, say 
nothing more; no protestations, no word of thanks. I know 
you — ^that is enough.” 

With proud, courtly mien he nodded to the painter in 
token of dismissal, waved his hand toward the door, and then 
seated himself in the window niche beside the Venus, turn- 
ing his back to the room. 

Abashed and humiliated, Gabriel slunk away, and not 
until the sound of the closing door gave warning of his de- 
parture did the count turn around. His gaze was fixed upon 
the Venus, who in her wanton beauty met his looks with dark, 
flashing eyes. 

“ You have cost me much, fair signora,” he said, shrug- 
ging his shoulders. Three thousand ducats for a copy! 
Who knows whether Titiano Vecelho was paid more for hds 
original in his own time? Ah! you poor, beautiful woman, 
how dismal and cheerless it will seem to you in the cold north, 
and how much you will miss the golden hght of your sunny 
Itahan home here in this dirty northern Mark! We two must 
console one another, and try to forget that we do not live in 
your own fair Italy, but here, here, where there is more rain 
than sunshine, and where in place of music we often hear 
nothing but the grunting of swine and the bleating of sheep! ” 

And, as if in confirmation of his words, just then was heard 
from the street a loud tumult, a confused discord of grunts 
and squeals. The count turned from the Italian beauty, and 
looked out into the street, or, rather, the great square front- 
ing his palace.* The rain, which had streamed down inces- 
santly for a few days past, had drenched the unpaved ground, 
and here and there, where the soil was impermeable to 
moisture, had formed puddles and pools. These, the sheep 
and hogs, which were ensconced in stalls before the houses, 
had chosen for their pleasure ground, and whole herds of 

* This palace of Count Schwarzenberg was situated on Broad Street, 
and the open square in front of it was where now stand the houses of the 
so-called Stechbahn. In the middle of this square stood the cathedral, 
and behind this, near the Spree, arose the electoral castle. It is the spot 
where the King’s apothecary now has his stand. ^ 


38 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


them had come to bathe in these puddles before Count 
Schwarzenherg’s palace and in the neighborhood of the cathe- 
dral. A few merry, naughty hoys, attracted by their squeal- 
ing and bleating, likewise ventured into the black sea of the 
cathedral square, hut, finding that they forthwith sank in 
the same, they had called for help, shouting, screaming, and 
laughing, thereby attracting still other hoys and idlers, who 
now with prudent caution stood on certain less saturated spots, 
and with shrieks of mockery and laughter watched the vain 
efforts of the sunken boys, who were striving to work them- 
selves out of the morass. Such was the melancholy picture 
that presented itself to Count Adam von Schwarzenberg, and 
he gazed upon it with sad and gloomy looks. 

^^And this is the residence of the Stadtholder in the 
Mark! ” he sighed — “ the outlook of von Schwarzenberg, 
count of the empire! Oh! it shall be otherwise! Out of this 
pigstye Berlin, I will construct a neat and handsome resi- 
dence for myself, from this miserable house a splendid palace 
shall spring forth, and all the arts and sciences shall find their 
patron in the lord commanding in the Mark, when he is no 
longer merely called Stadtholder, hut ” 

He looked anxiously behind him, as if he dreaded being 
overheard by some one. ^^Hush!” he murmured then, ‘‘he 
still! There are thoughts and plans which may never 
find expression in words, hut, like Minerva from the brain of 
Jupiter, must come forth ready for action, spear in hand. 
Creep back into my heart, and never let it be perceived 
that you are there, until the right hour shall come, the 
hour ” 

He was silent, . and again glanced searchingly around. 
Then, taking the silver whistle from his writing table, he 
let ring forth a shrill, loud call. A lackey in rich livery, its 
original material totally hidden beneath a mass of golden 
trappings and silver lace, appeared in the doorway. 

“Who is in the antechamber?’’ asked the count, casting 
a long, last glance upon the Venus, and then covering her 
again with the green stuff that hung at the corner of the 
frame. 

“Most gracious excellency, both entrance halls are 


COUNT ADAM VON SCHWARZENBERG. 


39 


crammed quite full of men of every rank and calling, for t his 
is the hour for public audience.” 

" Are many uniforms present? ” 

“ If you please, your excellency, very many. Besides Gen- 
eral von Khtzing and Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf, the 
Colonels von Rochow and von Kracht are there.” 

“ These four gentlemen must he admitted to me,” or- 
dered the count. “ The other people had better go, for I have 
no time to-day to grant audiences. Well, why do you stand 
there loitering? Why dcryou not go? ” 

" Most gracious sir,” entreated the lackey, there are so 
many distinguished gentlemen there, who have already come 
so often in vain, and to whom I have promised an audience 
to-day, in accordance with your excellency’s express com- 
mand.” 

Who, for example? ” 

“ For example, your excellency, the councilors of the cities 
of Berlin and Cologne, then the states of the duchy of Cleves, 
and 

Enough, enough! I see well that these lords have paid 
you to put me in mind of them, and I shall therefore have 
the complaisance to do honor to your intercession.” 

Alas! most gracious lord, I swear to your grace, that no- 
body has paid me, that 

" Silence! I Imow you all! ” cried the count contemptu- 
ously. "I know that every audience day brings as much 
money to you lackeys as it prepares discomfort and weariness 
for me. Pocket your money quietly, honest Balthazp; you 
are no worse than all the rest of the servant brood and there- 
fore I despise you no more than the rest. Go, conduct hither 
the military gentlemen named through the corridor, and 
meanwhile I shall take a walk through the audience cham- 
ber and you collect your pay.” 

The gold-bedizened lackey left the cabinet with reverential 
and submissive air. But outside, he remained standing before 
the closed door, and boldly hfting up his head, with wholly 
altered face, hurled a look of hatred and defiance at the door. 

"Xo worse than all the rest of. the servant brood!” he 
muttered, raising his fist in a threatening manner— no worse 


40 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


than yourself, you should have said, proud lord. You receive 
bribes as well as we, take money wherever you can get it, lend 
upon pledges, and practice usury like any Jew! Ah! we 
know you, haughty count, the whole Mark of Brandenburg 
knows and detests you, and it is a sin and shame that we must 
how down before the Catholic alien, the foreigner, the im- 
perialist, the priest-ridden slave, and it is a dreadful misfor- 
tune that the Elector himself hows down before him, and acts 
as if Schwarzenherg were lord here, and he a mere servant. 
Well,’’ he comforted himself, letting his fist drop, I can not 
alter it, and father says what we can not alter we had better 
submit to, and profit by a little, if we can. I will now guide 
these gentlemen bullies to the count’s cabinet.” 

Count Adam von Schwarzenherg had meanwhile opened 
the door to his little private antechamber, and caused to enter 
his officiating equery and chamberlain, von Lehndorf, as also 
his two pages in waiting. 

Lehndorf,” he said, “ what think you? Would it be pos- 
sible to arrange a small hunting party for to-day? ” 

‘‘Most gracious sir,” returned the chamberlain joyfully, 
“ the weather seems just made for that. A clear, bright 
October day, and the does and stags in the park deserve that 
a couple of dozen of them should be shot down, for they have 
grown so bold that they hardly show any longer their wonted 
fear of man. Would your excellency believe that yesterday 
four does, under the guidance of a powerful buck, were pleased 
to issue forth from the park behind the castle and promenade 
a little in the worshipful towns of Berlin and Cologne ? Such 
a screaming as there was of the street boys, who pursued the 
beasts, such a grunting of hogs, into whose styes the does 
sprang without respect, and such a running of honorable city 
women, who were struck with fear of being maltreated by the 
horned animals, who were nevertheless not their husbands, 
and such a yelping of noble butcher dogs, which probably took 
the does for calves gone mad! I swear, your excellency, it was 
divine sport.” 

“ You are a blustering fellow yourself,” laughed the count, 
“ and ‘ Who loves to dance, ne’er lacks the chance.’ If you 
are thus minded, we shall have a little hunt to-day, and take 


COUNT ADAM VON SCHWA RZENBERG. 


41 


it upon yourself to invite for us a few worthy and suitable 
gentlemen who have fine horses and dogs/^ 

And will not your grace to-day, in this beautiful weather, 
grant these gentlemen the pleasure of seeing the two new grey- 
hounds run? They have been here eight days already, and 
might as well display a little of their skill for the heavy sum 
of money they have cost.” 

Yes, that is true — a heavy sum of money they cost in- 
deed,” said the count. My son writes me that he paid eight 
thousand dollars for these two greyhounds.” * 

But they are worth it, your excellency,” cried the cham- 
berlain, quite enthusiastically. They are two wonderful 
animals, who have not their match in the wide world. I am 
quite in love with them, and if I had wife or ladylove, would 
gladly give her for these two greyhounds.” 

^‘Yes, yes, many an one would relish making payments 
in this fashion,” laughed the count. “ It is easier to give a 
wife away than eight thousand dollars, and again she is easier 
to obtain than such a superior greyhound. Hurry now, Lehn- 
dorf, and arrange the hunt for me. Let the servants put on 
their new red hunting suits and my huntsman also his new 
livery, that the curious Berlin people may have something 
to gape at. Away with you, Lehndorf! You, pages, take the 
baskets, now I am off for the audience hall.” 

Both pages, in suits of gold-embroidered velvet, rushed 
into the little antechamber, and quickly returned, each one 
bearing a pretty, shallow basket in his hand. Behind them 
came the chamberlain, who threw across the count’s shoul- 
ders his ermine-lined velvet mantle, and put into his hand 
his plumed hat, trimmed with gold lace, and his embroidered 
gloves. The count hastily placed the tall, pointed hat with 
its nodding plumes upon his dark, curly hair, in which showed 
here and there a few silver streaks, and grasped the long 
gloves firmly in his right hand, sparkling with brilliant rings. 

Open the doors! ” he said authoritatively, and the cham- 
berlain flew before him, and tore open both halves of the 
folding doors. The two halberdiers, who stood near the door 
on the other side, raised their halberds, and proclaimed with 
♦ A historical fact. Vide von Orlich. 


42 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


thundering voices, His excellency and grace, count of the 
empire and Stadtholder in the Mark! 

Through the two long apartments, on hoth sides of which 
w^as ranged a dense crowd of people of all sorts — men and 
women, venerable magistrates in solemn robes of office, and 
soldiers in their uniforms, poorly clad citizens and fine-dressed 
gentlemen, hold-looking young ladies and respectable matrons 
in white garbs of widowhood — through hoth these long apart- 
ments flew, as it were, one sigh, one joyful breath of relief 
and surprise, and all faces, the sad and bright, the eyes red- 
dened by wine and night watches, as well as those sparkling 
with avarice and passion, all turned toward the lofty, full form 
of the Stadtholder, who, so proud and so brilliant, so august 
and self-conscious, stood upon the threshold of the door. He 
gave no salutation; not in the least did he incline his head, 
but with one sharp look let his large, gray eyes glide up and 
down on hoth sides; and this look sufficed to cause all heads 
to sink in reverence, to how the proud and humble necks, so 
deeply, so reverentially, that high and low, old and young, 
poor and rich were now all one and the same — the petitioners 
of the electoral minister, the almighty Stadtholder in the 
Mark! 

He now strode forward, followed by the two pages with 
their empty baskets. But these baskets were soon filled, for 
at each step forward a hand was stretched out to the count, 
handing him a written petition, and the count took it smil- 
ingly, and with distinguished indifference cast it into one of 
the proffered baskets. But before those who had come with- 
out written requests, and entreated a gracious personal hear- 
ing, the Stadtholder paused, and they began hurriedly, and 
with embarrassment, because they feared being heard by their 
neighbors, to state their wishes. It seldom happened, how- 
ever, that the count allowed them to speak to the end, inter- 
rupting them in the midst of their speech with a hasty, Com- 
mit it to writing! commit it to writing! ” and striding on 
with the same lofty bearing, the same proud, imperturbable 
equanimity. Only when he neared the spot where stood the 
delegates of the citizens of Berlin and Cologne a cloud over- 
shadowed his brow, and a flash of anger shot from his eyes. 


COUNT ADAM VON SCHWARZENBERG. 43 

He stopped before the burgers, and looked at them with 
an expression of cold, scornful repose. 

What do you want of me? ” he asked. 

Help in our need, most gracious excellency,’’ began the 
spokesman, ^‘pity for our misfortunes! We can not pay the 
new war tax, we ” 

^^Ah! just see,” the count interrupted him mockingly; 
now you come to me, to sue for my favor. Your visit, then, 
to his Electoral Grace, has been in vain. The Elector has 
not granted the shameless petition of the citizenship; he has 
not encroached upon the rights of the Stadtholder appointed 
by himself to rule here in his stead. You have thought to 
circumvent me, and hardly has the lord of the land come 
hither before you must gain favors from himself. Well, see 
what favors you have obtained! Hardly an hour ago you 
walked with quick, proud steps into the castle of his Electoral 
Grace, and now you stand with humble, sad countenances in 
the antechamber of the Stadtholder in the Mark! What will 
you have here, and what have those to do with the Stadtholder 
who can converse with the Elector himself?” 

Pardon, your excellency, as faithful and humble chil- 
dren of the country, we turned first to our father and 
lord 

^^How stick to that!” interrupted the count warmly, 
and desire not to obtain from me what the fatherly heart 
of your beloved liege lord has denied you. Go, and never 
again appear in these parts! And you, too, my lords, deputies 
from the duchy of Cleves,” continued the count, striding 
forward toward the deputies— you, too, might reasonably 
have spared yourselves the trouble of appearing here. Who 
has enjoyed the honor of being received by his Electoral High- 
ness need have no necessity for antechambering at the house 
of his minister and Stadtholder, for all favors and all honors 
flow from the almighty and exalted person of the Elector 
himself, and what he has done is good, and what he has said 
stands fast and is the law. Therefore, also, whoever has ob- 
tained dismissal from his Electoral Grace need no more turn 
to me, for the sun has shone upon him, and like myself he 

stands in the shade.” 

4 


44 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


With these ambiguous words the Stadtholder moved for- 
ward, leaving the deputies covered with shame and swelling 
with indignation, while his countenance had speedily bright- 
ened. With more friendly gestures he now accepted the 
written petitions, and even listened patiently and condescend- 
ingly to those who had only come with oral supplications; 
promised them redress for their difficulties, exhorted them 
with loud voice to place confidence in their Stadtholder, ap- 
pointed by the Elector, and to he assured that whoever turned 
to him would not sue and plead in vain, if his cause were 
just, fair, and practicable. 

When the count had finished his circuit and stood again 
at his cabinet door, the baskets were piled high with written 
petitions, and the count, pointing to these with outstretched 
right hand, on whose fingers sparkled many a costly jewel, 
asseverated with loud voice that he would himself open, read, 
and examine all these writings, and do whatever was in his 
power. Then, with a short, gracious nod of dismissal, he 
retired into his cabinet, followed by the two pages with their 
baskets. 


IV. — SOLDIEES AND DIPLOMATISTS. 

Awaiting Count von Schwarzenherg in his cabinet were 
the four officers whom the lackey had conducted there in 
obedience to his instructions. They grew dumb in the midst 
of their conversation when the count entered, and stood up, 
saluting him in stiff and military style. Count Schwarzenherg 
nodded to them in a friendly manner, and an obliging smile 
.played about his thin and finely cut lips. 

Put the baskets on my writing table and go out,” he 
commanded the pages, and then turned toward the gentle- 
men, who still stood there with soldierly stiffness. 

Welcome, my lord general, and you, sirs colonels,” he said 
in playful, jocular tone. Truly, it is a pleasure to see one’s 
self surrounded by such valiant soldiers. If my gracious mas- 
ter the Elector had as many such splendid soldiers as he has 


SOLDIERS AND DIPLOMATISTS. 


45 


leaders; he would he helped indeed, and not find it necessary 
to battle with the Swedes for his dukedom of Pomerania, for 
then would the Swedes soon run off conquered.” 

‘‘Just imagine, your excellency,” cried Colonel Conrad 
von Burgsdorf, while he stroked his long, gray mustache with 
his broad fat hand — just imagine what respect the Swedes 
would have for such a regiment composed of Klitzings, 
Rochows, and Krachts.” 

You forget yourself. Sir Colonel,” said Count Schwarz- 
enberg, in a friendly, insinuating tone; ‘^you forget to say 
that Conrad von Burgsdorf alone is a whole regiment in him- 
self.” 

P erhaps that is the reason why I have in fact nothing 
behind me,” cried Colonel von Burgsdorf, with a loud, coarse 
laugh. ^^Yes, yes, now I know why I have so few soldiers 
behind me; the others all concentrate in me, and it is merely 
a pity and shame that they can not come forth from me to 
make front against the cursed Swedes.” 

They will come forth now, depend upon it; they will 
come forth,” said the count, with a pleasant smile. My 
lords, I have had you summoned to confer with you about 
important and significant tidings. In the first place, we shall 
consider what relates to yourselves, and is therefore of great- 
est interest to you. General von Klitzing, henceforth you shall 
have no cause to complain of having a title hut no employ- 
ment. For from this very day you shall have employment, 
since his Electoral Grace designs forthwith to have regiments 
equipped and brought into the field.” 

Hurrah! now for it! ” shouted Burgsdorf, waving his 
right arm. 

I shout hurrah, too, with your excellency’s permission,” 
said General von Klitzing joyfully. “ It has been three months 
since your excellency did me the favor to recall me here from 
the Saxon service in order to assume the command of the 
Brandenburg troops, and I have been in despair ever since, 
for it has been just like acting a comedy, where they fight 
with pasteboard swords and tin soldiers.” 

" That was the fault of the states and cities, who would 
not grant the Elector taxes for the equipment of regiments,” 


4a 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


returned the count, with emphasis. Besides, ever since the 
peace of Prague the Elector has been pledged to neutrality. 
And if you can take part neither for nor against, can fight 
neither for friend nor foe, then it is better to have no soldiers, 
and no swords that can not be unsheathed. But now all will 
he different, and therefore the Elector nominates you. Gen- 
eral von Klitzing, commandant general of all the Branden- 
burg fortresses, their garrisons, and all the electoral forces 
collectively.” 

“ That is indeed an important and honorable appoint- 
ment,” cried the general, “ and I shall esteem myself happy 
if I can now succeed in bringing the electoral forces into 
action.” 

That must he done the first thing, general, yes, indeed, 
that must be done,” cried Burgsdorf, laughing. “ Alack! up 
to this time we have had no soldiers, for the couple of wretched 
fellows in each of the forts and the Elector’s bodyguard could 
hardly be accounted such, and made but a poor show.” 

Upon you, gentlemen, upon you it will henceforth de- 
volve to create an army,” said Schwarzenberg solemnly. Col- 
onel von Kracht, in virtue of my office as Stadtholder in the 
Mark, I this day pronounce you commandant of the fortresses 
of Berlin and Cologne; with the same fullness of power, I ap- 
point you. Colonel von Rochow, commandant of Spandow; 
and lastly you. Colonel von Burgsdorf, I constitute comman- 
dant of the Fortress Kiistrin.” 

I should have been better pleased if you had made me 
commandant of Berlin,” growled Conrad von Burgsdorf. 
'' They lead such a dull, wearisome life at Fortress Ktistrin, 
and I wish that Kracht and I could change places with one 
another. He knows the people of Kiistrin well, and under- 
stands how to get along with them, for the late commandant 
of Kiistrin was his father. Let us exchange with one another, 
von Kracht — here is my hand, give me yours! You are com- 
mandant of Kiistrin and I of Berlin! ” 

Slowly, colonel,” replied Baron von Kracht; we must 
yield to order and authority, and submit ourselves to what- 
ever the Stadtholder in the Mark has found good to arrange 
for us.” 


SOLDIERS AND DIPLOMATISTS. 


47 


Well said, Sir Commandant of Berlin! ” cried Schwarz- 
enberg. “ I was silent, because I wished to hear your an- 
swer. It follows, therefore. Colonel von Burgsdorf, that you 
go as commandant to Fortress Kustrin.” 

“ I know very well that you send me away to remove me 
as far as possible from your residence Berlin,” growled Burgs- 
dorf. You can not bear to see that the Elector is attached 
to me, and calls me his friend. You can not bear that another 
should execute and perform what you yourself can not exe- 
cute and perform. I saw plainly yesterday the look of hatred 
and ill will which you darted at me, across the Elector’s table, 
while the great drinking match that I had proposed was 
going on. It was right plain to be seen how much vexed you 
were, that there was anything in which Conrad von Burgs- 
dorf could excel the wise, the learned, and the most worship- 
ful Count Adam von Schwarzenberg.” 

Well! you really suppose that I could be envious and 
jealous? ” cried the count, laughing. Yo, most worthy 
colonel, with my whole heart I yield you the palm for being 
the first and most rapid drinker at the electoral court, and 
for emptying a quart cup of wine at one draught.” 

And it is no trifling art, you must know. Sir Count,” 
said Burgsdorf, with an important air. Think not that it 
is a mere pleasure — no, it is a task too, and at times a diffi- 
cult one.” 

“We did not observe it as such yesterday. Colonel von 
Burgsdorf,” retorted the count. “ You proved yourself yes- 
terday a truly intrepid hero in drinking at the electoral table. 
For it is in fact an heroic deed to quaff eighteen quarts of 
wine in one hour, as you did yesterday^” 

“Well,” said Burgsdorf, flattered, “we had a drinking- 
match, and the Elector had offered a fine prize to the best 
drinker. I had long desired to obtain possession of the pretty 
and flourishing little village Danzien, and, behold! this was 
the very prize the Elector had offered; so I was obliged to 
do what I could, and have to thank God that I came off victor. 
I drank all the other gentlemen under the table, and was alone 
left standing, with my eighteen quarts of wine aboard.” * 

* King, Description of Berlin, part 1, p. 237. 


48 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


said the Stadtholder, smiling, think you 
did not leave me under the table, for I kept erect in spite 
of you. Colonel Burgsdorf. I hope also to keep my posi- 
tion yet longer, and never to be thrust under the table by 
you.” 

He looked full in the colonel’s bloated and wine-flushed 
face with a cold, proud glance, and smiled when he saw how 
Burgsdorf’s brow darkened and his eyes flashed with fierce 
hatred. 

^^You will remain standing. Sir Stadtholder, so long as 
God and the Elector please,” said Burgsdorf slowly. Many 
an one falls, and under the table, too, although he may not 
he drunk with wine, but with pride and ambition, avarice and 
rapacity.” 

“ Enough, Burgsdorf, enough,” replied the count haught- 
ily. I did not summon you here to hold with you a con- 
troversy about words, for well do I know that you are as 
mighty in words as in drinking. I have had you summoned 
that you might receive your orders, and do and perform 
whatever the Stadtholder in the Mark commands and enjoins 
upon you, in the names of the Emperor’s Majesty and his 
Electoral Grace. General von Klitzing, I have nominated 
you commander in chief of all the fortifications, as you. Colo- 
nels von Kracht, von Rochow, and von Burgsdorf, comman- 
dants of Berlin, Spandow, and Kiistrin. You may perceive from 
this that a new era has dawned, and that we have great things 
to expect from the future. Gentlemen, the time for waiting 
and delay is past. The Elector has concluded a treaty with 
the Emperor, by which the Emperor declares that the duke- 
dom of Pomerania is the natural heritage of the Elector of 
Brandenburg, and invests him with it. It is true that at pres- 
ent the Swedes occupy Pomerania, and will not evacuate. 
But to that very end we must labor, to force the presumptuous 
Swedes to do this; and thereto the Elector has pledged him- 
self to raise an army of five-and-twenty thousand men. To 
superintend these levies is the affair of the colonels and staff 
officers, therefore also your affair.” 

The only question is, where is the money to come from 
to effect such levies,” said General Klitzing. 


SOLDIERS AND DIPLOMATISTS. 


49 

Yes, that is the question,” exclaimed the three colonels 
impatiently. 

And the answer runs: The Emperor’s Majesty has as- 
signed money for that purpose. The Emperor’s Majesty has 
granted the Elector a release from the payment of two hun- 
dred Roman-months which the Elector owed him, and with 
these two hundred Roman-months, which amount to three 
hundred and sixty-five thousand fiorins, troops are to be levied. 
But besides this, the Emperor expressly adds sixty thousand 
dollars, to be employed in enlisting soldiers; and the money 
will be paid out to those leaders and colonels who have re- 
cruited such and such a number of soldiers. For each soldier 
they get eight rixdollars.” 

I shall recruit! ” shouted Burgsdorf. I shall go as 
commandant to Kustrin, and enlist a regiment besides! ” 

It is a matter of course that we all recruit,” said General 
von Klitzing, ^^for such is the command and desire of the 
Elector, and him as our commander in chief we are bound to 
obey.” 

By no means, general! ” cried the count hastily. Your 
commander in chief is the Emperor of Germany. The soldiers 
whom you shall enlist will of course be subject to the com- 
mand of the Elector, but they must take an oath of allegiance 
to the Emperor and the empire, which runs thus, that they 
will be obedient to the Emperor, and in his stead to the Elec- 
tor of Brandenburg, in order that the dukedom of Pomerania 
be recovered to the Elector, its natural sovereign.* Accord- 
ing to the compact between the Emperor and the Elector, the 
official oath of military governors must also conform to this 
formula, and the commandants of fortresses be taken into the 
service of the Emperor and the empire. First and foremost 
is the obedience and fealty they owe to the Emperor.” 

do not understand that; it does not penetrate through 
my thick skull! ” cried Burgsdorf impatiently. How will 
it be if the Emperor’s commands go counter to those of the 
Elector? If the Emperor orders us to do this^ and the Elector 
that 9 ” 

That will never happen,” replied the count gravely. 
* Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, part 3, p. 172. 


50 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


The Elector is much too loyal and faithful a vassal of the 
Emperor not to coincide always with the latter^s gracious pur- 
poses and desires. I have now told you all that it is needful 
for you to know, have given you your commissions and an- 
nounced your several ranks, and it only remains to administer 
to you the prescribed oath. In view of my absolute power 
as Stadtholder in the Mark, and as head of the electoral coun- 
cil of war, I will now receive your oath of fidelity to the Em- 
peror and the Elector, and you must engage and swear to 
fulfill constantly and faithfully your duties to Emperor, em- 
pire, and Elector.’’ 

And just as the count dictated, without delay or contra- 
diction, the four lords repeated the formula of the oath, and 
swore obedience, good faith, and service, first to the Emperor 
and the empire, and then to the Elector of Brandenburg. 
Thereupon the count dismissed them, exhorting them to re- 
pair instantly to their fortresses, and there to begin enlist- 
ing soldiers for the army of the Elector. 

The count’s countenance cleared up and assumed a tri- 
umphant expression when the four officers had left his cabi- 
net, and he was now once more alone. 

shall now be rid of that quarrelsome and dangerous 
man, Burgsdorf,” he said complacently, as he sank appar- 
ently exhausted into an easy chair. ‘ “ I have rendered him 
harmless and shoved him aside without his being really con- 
scious of it. He does not suspect that we advanced and pro- 
moted the others only to remove him, Burgsdorf, to a dis- 
tance, without exciting remark or scandal, and in order to 
he freed from his scurrilous tongue and insolent presence. 
I am truly glad and content that we have succeeded in this, 
and at the same time have taken these unreflecting and short- 
sighted gentlemen into service and allegiance to the Emperor 
and the empire.” With a hurried Who is there? ” the count 
interrupted himself, starting from his seat. Who dares to 
enter here unannounced? ” 

I dare,” said an earnest voice, and a tall, slender gentle- 
man, wholly enveloped in a heavy traveling coat, his head cov- 
ered with a great fur cap, strode through the apartment to- 
ward the count. 


SOLDIERS AND DIPLOMATISTS. 


51 


Count Lesle, lord high chamberlain to the Emperor! ” 
exclaimed the Stadtholder in surprise. “ Is it you? Are you 
direct from Eegensburg? ” 

“ Yes, Count Schwarzenberg^ I have come here direct 
from Eegensburg, to depart again without delay. My travel- 
ing carriage stands without before your door, and I shall 
presently enter it, and journey hence again. You will on that 
account excuse my want of ceremony, hut as the Emperor 
Ferdinand permits me to enter his apartments at any time, I 
thought that the Stadtholder of the Mark would not he less 
affable. Moreover, I could not send in my name, for no one 
besides yourself is to know of my being here, and I wish to 
travel incognito. Will you, then, pardon me. Count Schwarz- 
enberg, and am I excused? ” 

I am the one to sue for forgiveness, on account of my 
impatience, and I do so most cordially. And now I entreat you, 
count, first of all, make yourself comfortable. Permit me 
to assist you in laying aside your cumbrous traveling habit, 
and accept some ease and refreshment.” 

With officious zeal he busied himself in aiding his visitor 
to emerge from his wrappings, and soon Count Lesle stood 
before the Stadtholder of the Mark in the beautiful, unique 
Spanish garb, such as was worn at the imperial court. 

How glorious you look in those magnificent velvet 
robes! ” cried Count Schwarzenherg, with a sigh, and how 
much your Spanish costume makes me long for the sumptuous 
life of the imperial court! Ah! my dear count, here among 
us you find hardly a trace of this costly, splendid living, and an 
imperial valet or house servant has more pleasure and enjoy- 
ment than an Electoral Stadtholder in the Mark.” 

Yet it is a fine and sonorous title,” said Count Lesle, 
smiling, while he stretched himself out comfortably in the 
great armchair which Count Schwarzenherg had rolled for- 
ward for him, and it is also a great and influential office. 
The Emperor’s Majesty knows very well what a mighty and 
potent man the Stadtholder in the Mark is, and that Count 
Schwarzenherg is really Elector of Brandenburg.” 

His Imperial Majesty knows, too, that I have never yet 
ceased to he the faithful and devoted servant of the Emperor,” 


52 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


cried Schwarzenberg, at the same time drawing a simple chair 
to the side of the count’s fauteuil, and seating himself upon 
it. His Imperial Majesty knows, I hope, that first and above 
all other things I place my duty to the Emperor, and that 
I have no higher aim than to subserve the interests of his 
Imperial Majesty.” 

Yes, the Emperor, our most gracious Sovereign, knows 
that,” said Count Lesle feelingly. He does not for a moment 
doubt the fidelity and attachment of the Stadtholder in the 
Mark, who has always been mindful that the Elector is only 
the Emperor’s vassal, and the Emperor the real lord of the 
whole German Empire.” 

And to maintain this relation intact, yes, that is what 
I have made the greatest task of my life,” cried Schwarzen- 
berg, with animation. It is a task, in truth, not easy to be 
accomplished, for the Emperor’s supreme Government has 
many enemies here at the electoral court, and very many 
there are here who maintain that Brandenburg should free 
herself entirely from imperial vassalage, and that the Elector 
should be sole lord within his own domains. But now, dear- 
est lord high chamberlain and count, tell me wherefore you 
have come here so unexpectedly, and what news do you bring 
from Regensburg? ” 

Very serious and very subtile news I bring with me, 
count,” replied Count Lesle, and of such a tender, delicate 
nature that we could not willingly entrust it to paper, even 
in cipher, but could only transmit it from my lips to your ear, 
and thence to the locked-up recesses of your breast. There- 
fore I have come to you, and need hardly say that not a breath 
of our conversation is to escape, and that nobody must know 
of my having been here. The question is about the Electoral 
Prince of Brandenburg — ^that young man who has already 
tarried more than three years in the Netherlands, and is im- 
bibing there the hated poison of insubordination and passion 
for freedom. It is high time that the Electoral Prince were 
recalled.” 

Recalled! ” cried Count Schwarzenberg, starting up 
amazed. But, Count Lesle, you do not know the Electoral 
Prince. You do not know the danger that would accrue 


SOLDIERS AND DIPLOMATISTS. 


53 


now if this restless, ambitions, and fiery yonng man were to 
return home. My enemies and the secret opponents of the 
Emperor here desire nothing more ardently than just this 
very thing, and the Rochows and Schdnungs and all the re- 
formers have already brought matters to such a pass that the 
Elector himself presses most urgently for his son^s return 
home, and has even peremptorily required it of him. It is a 
plot of all the Swedish wellwishers, all the anti-imperialists 
of this court, believe me. They wish to place the Electoral 
Prince at their head, and hope by this means to bring it about 
that the weak and vacillating Elector shall secede from the 
Emperor and ally himself with the Swedes. They teased and 
goaded the Elector, until he even sent his Chamberlain von 
Schliehen to The Hague in order to fetch the Prince, and the 
latter has hut to-day returned from his vain expedition.” 

From his vain expedition, do you say? The Electoral 
Prince remains at The Hague, then, despite the strict com- 
mands, the pressing messages of his father? You see by that, 
what fruit his stay at The Hague has already produced, and 
that the poison which he has imbibed there is even now at 
work. The Electoral Prince seems to he thoughtful and studi- 
ous. And so much the more dangerous is it to leave him any 
longer at The Hague, where all are ill disposed toward the 
Spaniards, where is to he found the real hearthstone of the 
great European opposition to the house of Hapshurg, where 
the Prince of Orange is his instructor in the art of war, and 
can educate him to he a skillful and dangerous warrior and 
an enemy of the Emperor.” 

All that is very true! ” said Schwarzenherg gloomily. 

But for all that he is less to he dreaded there than here, 
where he would cross all our plans and bring to nothing all 
our schemes. The Electoral Prince is a dangerous opponent, 
believe me. There is something bewitching in his character, 
and he would be in a position either to carry the Elector along 
with him in his career or to induce George William to follow 
his father’s example, and resign the government in favor of 
his son, the Electoral Prince Frederick William. And do you 
know. Count Lesle, what would he the first act of Frederick 
William’s reign? To depose me, to take all power out of my 


54 : 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


hands, and to institute a new course of policy for the house 
of Brandenburg! ” 

Only get him here first, count, and then it is your affair 
to guard against this extreme. Take example from what hap- 
pened on one occasion in Spain, where also rioters and inno- 
vators thronged around the heir to the throne, by his ahet- 
tance to overturn, existing institutions and hurl the King 
from his throne. ‘My God! You know the story of King 
Philip and his son Carlos. Hardly fifty years have elapsed 
since then. Profit by this example, and learn from this story 
that if the son is dangerous, you have only to render him sus- 
pected by his father, and he becomes innocuous. If the son 
is the enemy of his father, then the father must also he made 
the enemy of his son, that in this way an equilibrium be pre- 
served. You are much too great a statesman and too acute a 
diplomatist not to know how to act in this matter. But the 
urgency of the case is pressing. You must have him under 
your own eyes, under your own guardianship.” 

^^It is true,” said Schwarzenherg thoughtfully, ^^he im- 
bibes deadly poison there, and is quite too enthusiastic in his 
admiration of the Protestant leader, the Prince of Orange. 
His letters to his parents overflow with enthusiasm for the 
Orange general, whom he calls his master and teacher in the 
art of war, and lavishes upon him extravagant praise.” 

And they are giving themselves trouble enough to link 
the young Prince yet more closely to the house of Orange, 
and the enemies of Spain and Hapshurg,” said Count Lesle 
emphatically. The Emperor has obtained exact accounts 
as to the practices going on at The Hague, whereby the Elec- 
toral Prince may he brought into the land of Cleves and united 
by marriage with the Palatinate house, whereby he may he 
brought equally under the influence of the sovereign States 
and the Prince of Orange, and estranged from the Holy 
Roman Empire.* 

He is to marry a princess of the Palatinate! ” exclaimed 
the Stadtholder. Ah! now I understand why the Electress, 
despite her tender love for her only son, constantly endeavors 

* Count Lesle’s own words. Vide von Orlich, History of Prussia, 
part 1, p. 40. 


SOLDIERS AND DIPLOMATISTS. 


55 


to keep him away, and to prolong his stay at The Hague. I 
always thought until now that it was on my account. I 
thought that the Electress believed me to have evil and malign 
intentions with regard to the Electoral Prince, and for that 
reason alone was opposed to her son’s return. But now I see 
into it; she is for this Palatinate marriage, she wishes hy 
that means to bind her son more closely to her own house 
and its interests, to alienate him further from the Emperor 
and the Holy Roman Empire. It is the daughter of the ban- 
ished Bohemian King, the Princess Ludovieka Hollandine, 
who is to he the tie to unite him to Orange and the Palatinate. 
All this hecomek suddenly clear to me, and I can not imagine 
how I could have been so blind and so innocent as not to have 
divined and penetrated into this sarlier. The Electoral 
Prince does, indeed, in each of his letters make mention of 
the little household over which the banished Bohemian Queen, 
the Electress of the Palatinate, presides at Doornward, not far 
from The Hague.” 

She has now removed her residence farther, to The Hague 
itself,” said Count Lesle dryly; without doubt, because win- 
ter approaches, and it will be more comfortable for the Elec- 
toral Prince not to find it necessary to travel that long way to 
Doornward to see his dearly beloved one. She must he quite 
a pretty girl, the Princess Ludovieka Hollandine, and, more- 
over, of very tender complexion, and not at all disposed to 
play the prude with the young, handsome Electoral Prince, 
who seems particularly to please her.” 

“ And the Electress is particularly partial to her sister- 
in-law, the Electress of the Palatinate,” said Schwarzenherg 
thoughtfully. “ Tears always come into her eyes whenever 
she speaks of her, and calls to mind her brother’s unhappy 
fate.* It would, indeed, he for the advantage of her house 

* The Elector Frederick V of the Palatinate, brother to the Electress 
of Brandenburg-, was (after the Archduke Maximilian had been declared 
to have forfeited the Bohemian throne) elected by the Bohemians to be 
their King. He accepted the nomination, but a few days after his coro- 
nation was defeated in the battle of the White Mountain in Austria 
(1620) ; wandered about homeless for a long time, and died in 1632 in 
Mainz. His wife was a daughter of the King of England, and his mother 


56 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


if the daughter of her banished brother should again exalt 
the honor of her family, and find in Brandenburg amends 
for the lost Palatinate. For when women take it into their 
heads to meddle with politics, then are their hearts always 
interested; and even in politics, match making is their espe- 
cial delight. Yes, yes. Count Lesle, I see into it now; you 
are right. The Electoral Prince is to wed the Palatinate 
Princess, and the Electress favors this match.” 

But the Emperor would be displeased at it in the high- 
est degree,” cried Count Lesle. It is therefore impossible 
that this alliance take place. You must do everything to 
prevent the Elector from granting his consent, and however 
many are for it, and blow upon one horn, yet the Elector 
must strike no note in» harmony with this Palatinate mar- 
riage.” * 

“No, the Elector will not and shall not,” replied the count 

decidedly. “ It is for me to prevent him, and You are 

indeed right. There is nothing left to be done but to summon 
the Electoral Prince from The Hague.” 

“ It would be pleasant to the Emperor if the Electoral 
Prince came to his court,” remarked Count Lesle; “ it would 
be a token of confidence, and make an impression throughout 
the Holy Roman Empire upon friend and foe.” 

“ Alas! the most important requisite of all is wanting — 
we want money,” sighed Count Schwarzenberg, shrugging 
his shoulders. 

“ Well, that shall furnish no ground for objection. Sir 
Stadtholder. The Emperor commissioned me expressly to an- 
nounce to you that his Imperial Majesty would gladly hold 
himself ready to furnish some assistance, yes, if needful, all 
the money required for the expenses of this journey.'f And 
the Emperor would not be niggardly with his supplies of 
money for traveling, but give such sums that the Electoral 
Prince need not come merely to his Majesty at Vienna, but 

a Princess of Orange, wherefore his wife and children found a refuge and 
protection at The Hague. 

* Count Lesle’s own words. Vide Droysen, Plistory of Prussian Poli- 
tics, vol. iii, p. 173. 

f Historical. Vide von Orlich, part 1, p. 42. 


SOLDIERS AND DIPLOMATISTS. 


57 


also make a little excursion to Innspriick. For at Innspriick 
the Archduke Leopold now holds his court, and the Electoral 
Prince could not fail to enjoy himself there, for the court at 
Innspriick is brilliantly gay, and the archduke’s youthful 
daughter, Clara Isabella, is peculiarly fond of pleasure, and 
is a beautiful and attractive young lady.” 

With a sudden movement of the head Count Schwarzen- 
berg turned toward Lesle. You do not mean it? ” he asked 
hesitatingly. 

Count Lesle nodded. “ It is much to he desired,” he said, 
smiling. 

But I fear it is impossible! ” cried Schwarzenherg. 

Every one here will he opposed to it; no one in favor of it. 
It is simply not to he thought of, and impossible that the 
Electoral Prince should marry a Catholic.” 

“ It only seems probable, and to effect it, it is only neces- 
sary to go to work in the right way,” said Count Lesle quietly. 

You see by yourself how the inconceivable can still be- 
come matter of reality. Would it not have been supposed im- 
possible that at this court, where there are none but heretics, 
where Reformers and Lutherans contend for precedence, that 
a Catholic and an imperialist could have become prime min- 
ister and confidential adviser to the Elector? And yet so it 
is, and for twenty years past the Catholic Count Schwarzen- 
berg has been the favorite and I may say the controller of 
the Elector of Brandenburg. And why should not the Catho- 
lic minister and Stadtholder be able to negotiate a Catholic 
alliance? You underrate your power, count, and are by far 
too modest.” 

“ Say rather I know the ground on which I tread. Count 
Lesle. Believe me, it is slippery and marshy soil, and a single 
incatitious step may cause me to sink.” 

Then guard against an incautious step, but advance 
boldly forward in the interests of his Imperial Majesty, and 
be assured that Ferdinand will prove himself to be a grateful 
and a gracious lord. And now, count, you know all that I 
came to communicate to you, and it is time for me to set out 
again.” 

Will you set forth again so soon. Count Lesle, before you 


58 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


have done me the honor of taking a little breakfast and drink- 
ing a glass of wine with me? ” 

Thank you, count, thank you most cordially. You know 
well, however, that the master’s business is before all things 
else. My imperial master awaits me at Regensburg, and 1 shall 
then have the honor of being permitted to accompany him 
to Vienna. His Imperial Majesty is a strict and punctilious 
lord, and has calculated to the very day and hour when I may 
again reach the imperial palace. For our interview here he 
allowed me one hour; and, lo! the cock of your great wall 
clock had just stepped out and crowed eleven as I entered 
your room, and is already here, crowing twelve as loud as 
he can. It is therefore time for me to depart. I have briefly 
made you acquainted with the Emperor’s intentions and de- 
sires, and your wise and fertile brain will know how to enlarge 
and construe. Farewell, Sir Stadtholder in the Mark, fare- 
well, and may every blessing attend you! ” 

Count Lesle had risen and drawn his fur cap once more 
far over his brow. Schwarzenherg assisted him to don his 
ample and heavy wrappings, and then escorted him to the 
door. 

Permit me at least to conduct you to your carriage. Count 
Lesle,” he said. 

Impossible, count; that would excite remark among 
your people, and give rise to conjectures on all sides. I gave 
myself out on entering as one of your officials from Sonnen- 
burg, and your dignity does not suffer you to act toward your 
officials as toward an equal. Farewell, then! ” 

Count Lesle stepped out briskly, and hurriedly closed 
the palace door. Schwarzenherg stood listening to the 
retreating footsteps of the imperial legate until they^died 
away in the long corridor. Then he slowly turned away and 
sank with a sigh into the armchair which Count Lesle had 
recently occupied. 

Strange tidings those,” he muttered to himself. I must 
now then adopt a wholly different line of action — must de- 
range and newly model all my plans. What I would alto- 
gether avoid I must now do — must recall the Electoral Prince; 
must yield to him the precedence at court, both in rank and 


SOLDIERS AND DIPLOMATISTS. 


59 


position; must ’’ All at once he started up and shrank, 

as if a sudden flash of lightning had interrupted his train of 
thought. “If it must be,’^ he said quite softly to himself, 
“ if nothing else is left for me, and I see myself in danger, 
then I will do it. I shall resort to this last expedient.’^ 

But even while he pronounced the words he grew pale 
and cast around him a timid, anxious glance, as if he dreaded 
being overheard by some traitorous ear. Then he leaned his 
head upon the back of the armchair, and sat, long, silent, and 
motionless, wholly absorbed in deep and earnest thought. 

“ Yes, it shall be so,” he said at last. “ He must leave The 
Hague; but it does not signify necessarily that he will arrive 
here so soon. The way is long, the roads are unsafe, and he 
must travel cautiously and circumspectly, for many cutthroats 
wander about, and who knows whether the Swedes may not 
make the attempt to capture and carry off the young Prince, 
or murder him, that he may not some day contest with them 
the possession of Pomerania. All this must, indeed, be risked; 

then Master Gabriel Metzel must nevertheless still go 

to The Hague; only I shall give him other instructions, and 
he will have a wholly different errand to fulfill. Yes, yes, 
it shall be so; I shall have him summoned directly.” 

He had already stretched out his hand for the whistle, 
when the outer door opened, and the valet entered. 

“ Pardon, your excellency. A lackey has just come from 
the palace. The Elector begs and entreats of your grace that 
you will have the kindness to repair forthwith to the Elector’s 
residence.” 

“ Present my respects to the Elector, and say that I shall 
do myself the honor of waiting upon him. Go, tell the lackey 
that, and have my carriage of state ordered out forthwith.” 

“ Most gracious sir, I beg your pardon, but your excellency 
can not possibly go in the great carriage of state.” 

“Well, and why not?” 

“Your excellency knows that it has been raining four 
days without intermission, and the ground is so soaked through 
that a man can not cross the streets or square without sinking 
up to his knees, how much less then a heavy vehicle. The 
carriage of the strange gentleman who has just been with your 


60 


THE HEIE TO THE THRONE. 


excellency remained stuck fast a few steps from here, and the 
coachman and footman, with a couple of our stahleboys, are 
still busied in trying to pull it out of the mud/^ 

“ Heaven defend us! cried the count, traversing the 
apartment with rapid strides; ^Hhen I must go myself di- 
rectly and help the gentleman 

But he suddenly bethought himself, and slowly stepped 
hack from the door. “ With the help of my stahleboys, he 
must already he again on the road — my official from Sonnen- 
hurg,’^ he said. “ You think, then, that I can not take the 
great coach of state? ” 

‘‘Not possibly, gracious sir. It is a morass, such as has 
not been for ages, and the townspeople have already brought 
out their mud carriages again.” 

“ What is that? What are mud carriages? ” 

“ Your excellency, I mean the stilts on which they parade 
around when the mud is very bad.” 

The count laughed. “ The end of it is that nothing is 
left for me to do hut to betake myself to stilts likewise in 
order to reach the electoral palace.” 

“ It would he the easiest way, indeed,” replied the lackey; 
“only it is not quite consistent with respect. But the great 
coach can not go.” 

“ Then let them take my light hunting chaise, and attach 
four of my best coursers. In ten minutes I must he in the 
carriage.” 


V. — The Elector and his Favorite. 

In exactly ten minutes the hunting chaise stood in the 
inner court of the count’s palace, and, as this was paved with 
huge granite flagstones, the count succeeded in reaching his 
carriage without spattering his white silk stockings, extend- 
ing as far as the knee, or soiling his delicate velvet slippers, 
with their brilliant buckles and high red heels. Then the 
lackeys opened the great trellised gate of gilded iron, and with 
loud thundering the carriage rolled from the court out into 


THE ELECTOR AND HIS FAVORITE. 


61 


the street. The coachman lashed the air with his whip, and 
the four coursers flew, hardly touching the ground with their 
pretty feet. The mud, to be true, splashed in mighty waves 
from the wheels and hoofs, giving the benefit of its floods to 
many an honest burger’s wife who could not on her stilts im^ 
mediately escape; often, indeed, was heard the anguished 
squeak or piteous howl of some sucking pig or dog over which 
the hunting equipage had rolled; but it paused not for these, 
and in a few moments halted in safety before the mean little 
portal of that small, dark mansion, honored with the title 
of the Elector’s residential palace, which was situated on the 
other side of the cathedral square, near the Spree and the 
pleasure garden. 

Before the portal stood a wretched carriage, covered with 
mud and drawn by four raw-boned horses, whose trappings 
and harness were wholly wanting in polish and neatness. 

“ The Elector means to ride out, it seems,” said the count 
to himself, with a contemptuous glance at the poor electoral 
equipage. 

Drive a little aside! ” screamed the count’s well-dressed 
coachman from his box. Let his excellency the Stadtholder 
drive up to the door, for it is just impossible for the count to 
alight here in this mud.” 

But the coachman only shook his head proudly, in token 
of refusal, and darted a look full of inexpressible contempt 
upon the Stadtholder’s presumptuous driver. 

Drive out of the way! ” shouted the count’s coachman. 

Here I stand, and here I mean to stay until the Elector 
comes! ” 

Let him remain, William, and speak not another word,” 
commanded Count Schwarzenberg. “ Drive my carriage up 
so close to the electoral carriage that I can conveniently step 
in.” 

The coachman obeyed, and the electoral charioteer, who 
had begun the contention with the supercilious driver of the 
Stadtholder with inward satisfaction, and hoped for a long 
protraction of the same, now felt himself foiled, and saw with 
inexpressible astonishment the coachman turn around, with 
rapid sweep make the circuit of the square, and draw up close 


02 / the heir to the throne. 

beside the electoral equipage. Before he yet comprehended 
the object of this manoeuvre, the count had stretched forth 
his arm, opened with his own hand the door of the electoral 
coach, stepped into it, opened the door on the other side, and 
stepped out on the broad leather-covered plank which ex- 
tended like a sort of drawbridge from the threshold of the 
palace garden to the electoral carriage. 

Bravo, Schwarzenberg, bravo! called out a laughing 
voice, and as the count, standing midway on the plank, looked 
up, he saw the Elector above at the open window, nodding 
to him with friendly gesture, and greeting him with a cheer- 
ful smile. 

“ That was good for the brazen scoundrel, Fritz Long,’^ 
called down the Elector; how could the rascal dare not to 
move out of the way for the Stadtholder? ” 

He did right, your Electoral Grace! ” called up Schwarz- 
enberg, as he hastily doffed his gold-edged hat with its waving 
plumes, and bowed so low that the tips of the white feathers 
surmounting the black ones touched the damp ground. 

Put on your hat, and come up,^’ said the Elector. It 
is cold down there.” 

Only permit me first, most gracious sir, to do a little act 
of justice,” cried Schwarzenberg, turning with a pleasant 
smile to the electoral coachman, who stared at him with sullen 
mien. 

Fritz Long,” he said, with amiable condescension — 
Fritz Long, you have acted as became a brave and trusty 
electoral coachman. You are perfectly right; you must never 
drive out of the way, even should the Emperor of the Holy 
Roman Empire himself come to visit the Elector. In recogni- 
tion of your honesty and truth, accept this present from me.” 

And the count drew from the side pocket of his richly 
embroidered vest two gold pieces, and laid them in the im- 
mense hand, gloved in a dirty, yellow gauntlet, which the Elec- 
tor’s joyfully surprised state coachman reached out to him. 
The count again nodded affably to him, and passed through 
the palace portal. I hope,” he said to himself, while he 
slowly ascended the broad wooden stairs — I hope that in 
the next riot my fellows will properly punish the shameless 


THE ELECTOR AND HIS FAVORITE. 


63 


rascal, and take out the two gold coins I have given him in 
little pieces on his broad hack.’^ 

The Elector advanced as far as the antechamber to meet 
his beloved minister, and opened the door himself. 

Listen, Schwarzenberg,” he said, with a smile; you are 
such a capital man. You know how to- help in all emergen- 
cies, and even when they drive you into the deepest mud you 
know how to come forth dry-shod and clean.” 

Well, I may indeed have learned something of diplomacy 
and strategy at the electoral court,” answered the minister; 
at the same time offering the support of his shoulder to assist 
the Elector iii returning to his cabinet. Your grace has 
summoned me, and I feared lest intelligence of a disquieting 
nature had reached your highness, the ” 

“ Very disquieting intelligence, indeed,” sighed the Elecr 
tor, as he sank down groaning into his leather armchair. 
“ But I suppose you know it already. Schlieben is back, and 
our son comes not with him; he only writes us a lamentable 
letter, in which he explains that he can not come home at 
this season of the year, and in the present conjunction of the 
times.” 

But that is rebellion! ” exclaimed Schwarzenberg warm- 
ly; “ that is putting himself in downright opposition to his 
Sovereign and his father! ” 

“You look upon it in that light too, then, Schwarzen* 
berg? ” asked George William. “ You agree with me that the 
Electoral Prince has acted like a disobedient son and disre- 
spectful subject?” 

“Oh, my God!” sighed Schwarzenberg; “would that I 
could not agree with your highness! Would that an excuse 
might be found for this conduct of the Electoral Prince! It 
is painful to see how boldly the young gentleman dares to 
resist the supremacy of his father.” 

“ It is rebellion, is it not? ” asked George, his excitement 
waxing continually. “ We send our own Chamberlain Schlie- 
ben to The Hague; we write our son a letter with our own 
hand, enjoining him to return home; we, moreover, inform 
him verbally through Schlieben of the urgent necessity of his 
return, and still our son insists that he will remain at The 


64 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Hague, and has the spirit to send Schlieben home without 
accompanying him/^ 

That is indeed to put himself in open opposition and 
rebellion against his most gracious lord and father. And now 
your Electoral Highness must persist in requiring the Elec- 
toral Prince to set out and come back.’’ 

He must and shall come back, must he not? The Elec- 
tress, indeed, intercedes for him, and would gladly persuade 
us that we should grant our son one year’s longer sojourn at 
The Hague, to perfect himself in all sorts of knowledge.” 

Your highness,” said Schwarzenberg softly, edging him- 
self closer to the Elector’s ear — your highness, the Electress 
knows very well that the Electoral Prince has something in 
view at The Hague totally different from the acquisition of 
knowledge.” 

Well, and what may that be? ” 

A marriage, your highness. A marriage with the daugh- 
ter of the widowed Electress of the Palatinate — with the fair 
Ludovicka Hollandine.” 

That would indeed be a fine, plausible marriage! ” cried 
the Elector, starting up. A Princess of nothing, the daugh- 
ter of an outlawed Prince, put under the ban by the Em- 
peror! ” 

" But this Prince was the Electress’s brother. It would 
be very pleasant to her grace’s tender heart to exalt her pros- 
trate house once more and bring it into consideration again, 
and she would therefore gladly see hel brother’s daughter 
some day a reigning Princess. Besides, the future Electress 
would then owe her mother-in-law a lifelong debt of grati- 
tude, and the Dowager Electress might exert great influence 
and share in the government of her son.” 

Yes, indeed, they all count upon my death,” groaned 
the Elector; they all long for the time when I shall be gath- 
ered to my fathers. They grudge me life, although, forsooth, 
it is no light, enjoyable thing to me, but has brought me 
trouble, deprivation, and want enough. But still, they grudge 
it to me, and if they could shorten it, would all do so.” 

But I, my beloved master and Elector — I stand by you. 
I have placed it before myself as my sacred aim in life to 


THE ELECTOR AND HIS FAVORITE. 


65 


guard you as a faithful dog guards his master, and to turn 
aside from you all that threatens you with danger and vex- 
ation. The Emperor, too, as your supreme protector, keeps 
his benignant eye fixed upon you, his much-loved vassal, and 
his wrath would crush all that should endeavor to injure you. 
There are, indeed, many here who think that the Elector of 
Brandenburg ought to make himself free and independent 
of that very Emperor, beneficent though he he, and, because 
your highness stands in their way, they attach themselves to 
the son, and, placing him at their head, wish to constitute him 
an opponent of the Emperor and empire. The Electress has 
probably not yet forgiven^and forgotten that the Emperor 
put her brother under the ban of the empire, and banished 
him from country and friends. And the Prince of Orange, 
and the Sovereign States, the Swedes and all the enemies of 
his Imperial Highness and your Electoral Grace, would all 
unite their efforts to render the Electoral Prince a pliant tool 
in their hands. Therefore they wish to detain him yet longer 
at The Hague, and so to hind him there that he shall he 
wholly theirs, linked by an indissoluble chain. On that ac- 
count they wish to bring about this marriage with the Princess 
Ludovicka Hollandine. I must confide to your highness the 
information that report has already bruited it abroad, and 
that it is spoken of at the imperial court. I have to-day re- 
ceived dispatches from Vienna which apprise me that the 
Emperor is very much opposed to this matrimonial project, 
and will never give his consent to it.” 

“ And I, too, shall never give my consent! ” screamed the 
Elector. I will not again he brought to feud and strife with 
Emperor and empire. I will not range myself on the side 
of the Emperor’s foes, and neither shall my son. I have always 
said that the Electoral Prince was staying far too long in 
foreign parts, and that he would return an alien. But you 
would never agree to it, Adam Schwarzenherg; you always 
thought that the Electoral Prince was much better off in his 
place than here, where the malcontents and disturbers of the 
peace would throng about him, and that he could only learn 
what was good and profitable there, while here he would learn 
much that was evil. And now it proves that the air there is 


66 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


much worse for him still, and that the tempters have more 
power over him there than here.” 

“ I was blind and short-sighted when I fancied myself 
wise,” replied Schwarzenberg, in a tone of contrition; I was 
presumptuous enough to suppose I knew better than my Elec- 
tor and lord, and now acknowledge in deep abasement how 
very wrong I was, and how far superior to myself my noble 
and beloved Electoral Lord is in penetration and foresight. 
I crave your pardon, most gracious sir, crave it in penitence 
and humiliation.” 

The proud Count von Schwarzenberg bowed his knee be- 
fore the Elector, and with a glance of earnest entreaty pressed 
his lips to his Sovereign’s hand. George William, flattered 
and enraptured by this humility on the part of his almighty 
favorite, bent forward and imprinted a kiss upon his lofty 
forehead. 

Rise, my Adam, rise,” he said tenderly. It does not 
become the grand master of the German orders, the rich and 
distinguished count of the empire, to kneel before the little 
Elector, who is not master of an army, but so poor that he 
knows not how he shall live and pay his servants; who has 
nothing of his possessions but the name, and nothing of his 
position but the burden! Stand up, Adam Schwarzenberg, 
for I love to see you erect and stately at my side, and to be 
able to look up to you as to a staff on which I may lean, and 
which is strong enough to bear me.” 

Count Schwarzenberg arose from his knees, and, resting 
his elbows upon the high back of the armchair, inclined his 
head toward the Elector, who looked up at him with glances 
of fond affection. 

^^My lord’s coffers, then, are actually empty?” he asked. 

So empty, Adam Schwarzenberg, that my servants can 
not obtain their wages, and if a beggar were to accost me on 
my way to church, I could give him nothing, because not a 
florin is to be found in my own purse — so empty, that our 
whole project of the Electoral Prince’s return threatens to 
be wrecked thereby, for our son has incurred debts which 
we are not able to liquidate. Schlieben infor;ms us that the 
debts of the Electoral Prince amount probably to seven thou- 


THE ELECTOR AND HIS FAVORITE. 


67 


sand dollars, and, besides that, he needs at least two thousand 
dollars more to defray the expenses of his journey home, to^ 
gether with his retinue, his carriage, and his horses.” 

“ That is indeed a bad business,” said the count thought- 
fully, “for it is almost impossible to raise money in these 
hard times. Nevertheless a remedy shall and must he found, 
provided that my most gracious Sovereign will condescend 
to accept aid from his most humble servant and retainer.” 

“ What say you, Adam? You will help me again? ” asked 
the Elector. “ Twice you have rescued me already from want, 
and supported my poverty with your wealth. I am your 
debtor, your insolvent debtor, who pays no interest, to say 
nothing of the capital.” ^ 

“But like a magnanimous, high-spirited gentleman, al- 
ways give the greater for the less,” cried Schwarzenbergj 
smiling. “ It is true I had the good fortune to he able to 
lend your highness a hundred thousand dollars on two occa- 
sions, but your highness gave me in pledge two fair domains 
in Cleves, which surely would be worth more than the sum 
lent if they should be sold.” 

“ But nobody would buy them now because war and pesti- 
lence rage there, and no one knows who is master there. I 
give them to you, however, these domains of Huissen and 
Neustadt: from this very hour they are yours, and I shall 
forthwith make out for you a deed of donation.” 

“ Oh, my most revered sir, how kind and generous you 
are! ” said Schwarzenberg, “ and how you shame me with 
your magnanimity and goodness! With grateful and sub- 
missive heart I accept your gift, and shall this very day tear 
to pieces both the bonds, and lay them at your Electoral 
Highness’s feet.” 

“ By no means, Adam,” said the Elector, almost indig- 
nantly, “ for then I should hot have presented you with Huis- 
sen and Neustadt, but you would have paid for them! ” 

“ Then, at least, let me add now another sum, most hon- 
ored sir, and condescend to accept from me fifty thousand 
dollars without writing an acknowledgement of debt.” 

“Will you lend me fifty thousand dollars?” asked the 
Elector, joyfully surprised. 


68 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


I received important remittances of money from my 
mastership Sonnenburg, and have also saved something from 
my estates,” said the count. “ It is true for the time being 
I have nothing left for myself, hut it is better that the servant 
should suffer privation than his lord. I shall have the honor 
of transmitting to your highness this very day the fifty thou- 
sand dollars in specie and reliable hills of exchange.” 

And I shall immediately write you a receipt for them 
with my own hand,” cried the Elector, hastening with youth- 
ful speed to his writing table, and grasping paper and pen. 
With alacrity he dashed off a few words on the paper, moist- 
ened a great wafer, laid paper over it, and, pasting it beneath 
the writing, pressed his great signet upon it. 

There is the deed,” he said; take it, Schwarzenberg, 
and send me the money.” 

But the count refused the proffered paper, smilingly wav- 
ing it off with his hand, while reverentially taking one step 
backward. 

First the money and then the deed,” he said; “ all must 
he in order, gracious sir, and you shall not acknowledge your- 
self a debtor ere you have received your money.” 

“ Oh! how well I feel all at once! ” cried the Elector, 
and what a free, glad consciousness I have again in no longer 
feeling myself a poor debtor, hut once more knowing that I 
have money in my pockets. Now we will give orders for our 
servants to he paid off; then we will pay the Electoral Prince’s 
debts, and send him money for his traveling expenses, that he 
may come home and have no pretext for refusal and delay.” 

^^Your highness ought to send another chamberlain to 
persuade the Electoral Prince in a friendly manner to re- 
turn,” said the count. ''There is, for example, Herr von 
Marwitz, a peculiarly polished and clever gentleman, an^d in 
good standing with the Electress and all favorers of the Swedes, 
hut withal a faithful servant of his honored lord.” 

"Yes, Marwitz shall set off for The Hague, and to-day, 
too,” replied the Elector, with animation. "Marwitz shall 
bring back my son to me, and I shall exhort and command 
him under penalty of my wrath to take no excuses whatever, 
and to enter into no further explanations. He shall pay his 


THE ELECTOR AND HIS FAVORITE. 69 

debts, take my son money for his journey, and say to the Elec^ 
toral Prince that my accumnlated wrath as father and Elector 
will fall upon and crush him if he does not now obey me. 
I will have an obedient and submissive son, with whom my 
will is law, else it were better that I had no son! This very 
day Marwitz shall set out.” 

“ I beg the favor of your Electoral Highness to defer the 
departure of the Chamberlain von Marwitz until to-morrow,” 
pleaded the count. Your grace will without doubt desire 
to write a few words to your son; the Electress, too, will doubt- 
less avail herself of the opportunity to communicate with 
her son and dear relatives; and I also have a few dispatches 
to prepare for our envoys there. Most humbly, therefore, I 
beseech you that Marwitz may not commence his journey to 
The Hague until to-morrow or the day after.” 

“ To-morrow then be it, Adam, to-morrow he must 
start.” 

“ Then your highness and the Electress must prepare 
your letters to-day, and — candidly speaking, I had a great 
request to make of your Electoral Grace. I have arranged a 
little hunting party for to-day, and would esteem it an espe- 
cial favor if your highness would do me the honor to take 
part in it.” 

I shall do so gladly, most gladly! ” cried George William, 
dehghted. “I could desire no more pleasant diversion for 
the present day than a little hunting party, and you know 
that well, Adam, and understand splendidly how to guess at 
my wishes. Yes, we shall hunt — but I have no dogs. Mine 
were all left behind in Prussian, and the head huntsman in- 
forms me that the pack of dogs in this place is in very bad 
condition. I want a hunter and a strong fellow, such a 
capital boarhound as I have long wushed for but have never 
been able to find.” 

I hope that I have found such an one for your high- 
ness,” said the count, smiling. I have had inquiries insti- 
tuted everywhere, and learned that there was a capital ani- 
mal at Stargard, in Pomerania. I immediately dispatched a 
special messenger to Herr von Schwiebus, to whom the ani- 
mal belongs, and in your highness’s name asked the purchase 


70 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


price of the boarhound, and requested that they would send 
the creature along for your inspection.” 

^^And he is here, the hoarhound?” asked the Elector, 
with sparkling eyes. ‘‘ Adam, you do indeed understand how 
to rejoice my heart and guess my wishes. Where is the hoar- 
hound? Let me see him.” 

‘‘Most gracious sir, Herr von Schwiehus seems perfectly 
wrapped up in this animal, and at first would not hear at all 
of parting with him; indeed, he was quite angry with Count 
Henkel for having told me of his precious possession. Only 
when he heard that it was your Electoral Grace who wished 
to make the purchase, he softened down a little, and sent a 
picture which he has had taken of his favorite, in order that 
your highness might form an idea of the animal and decide 
whether it would really please you.” 

“Have you the picture with you, Adam?” asked the 
Elector eagerly. 

The count hurried to the door and took from the little 
table standing there a roll of paper, which he had laid there 
on his entrance. He unfolded it, spread it out on a table, 
and on each corner of the paper placed a weight. 

“ I entreat your highness just to observe the portrait of the 
beautiful animal,” he begged. 

The Elector hastily approached, and an expression of joy- 
ful surprise escaped from his lips at the sight of this picture, 
which, executed with tolerable artistic skill in water colors, 
represented a large and finely shaped hound, with massive 
head, clipped ears, and long tail. 

“ Adam, that is a wonderful animal! ” cried the Elector, 
after a pause of mute rapture. “That boarhound I must 
have, let it cost what it will. Tell me the price, Adam, the 
price for this divine creature.” 

“ Most gracious Elector, Herr von Schwiehus seems to be a 
queer fellow. He said the dog would not seem dear to him in 
exchange for all the money in the world. If, however, your high- 
ness insisted upon buying him, he would give him up on condi- 
tion that in payment for the dog he might cut down in the elec- 
toral forq^ts three thousand trees of his own selection.” * 

* Historical. Vide von Orlich. 


REVELATIONS. 


71 


shall have his price, yes, he shall have it!’’ cried 
the Elector, his eyes fixed immovably upon the portrait. 

Send forthwith a courier from me to Herr von Schwiebus, 
and have him notified that I buy the hoarhound for three 
thousand trees, which he may seilect and fell from my Letz- 
ling forest. He shall, conformably with his terms, immedi- 
ately send me the hoarhound. Make haste, Adam, and attend 
to this matter for me; 1 long so to have the beautiful creature 
here. And as regards the Electoral Prince, we will put off 
Marwitz’s departure until the day after to-morrow, for we 
shall not have time for letter writing to-day on account of 
the hunting party, and that will occasion the delay of one 
more day.” 


YI. — Eevelations. 

Not until the day after to-morrow will Marwitz set out 
on his journey,” said Count Schwarzenberg contentedly to 
himself, when he had left the Elector, and was once more 
alone in his own cabinet. “ Not until the day after to-mor- 
row! So Gabriel Nietzel will have three days the start of 
him, and, moreover, he can travel more rapidly. The only 
thing to he considered now is, what shall be the nature of his 
errand there? We shall at once deliberate as to what will 
he best! ” 

Long did he pace the floor of his cabinet with bowed head 
and arms crossed upon his chest; then all of a sudden he 
whistled for his valet, and ordered him to look for Master 
Gabriel Nietzel, and to bring him in at once. 

Your grace,” replied the valet, Master Nietzel has just 
come into the antechamber, and requests an audience of you.” 

Admit him. But first I have a few tasks to give you. 
Listen! ” he beckoned the valet to come nearer, and softly 
and hurriedly communicated his instructions. ^‘And now,” 
he concluded, now let the master enter, and then make haste 
to do what I have told you.” 

Well,”, cried the count, when a few minutes later Gabriel 


72 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Nietzel entered the cabinet — well, now tell me, master, what 
brings you here so early. My appointment with you was not 
until this evening.” 

Forgive me, your excellency, hut in the joy of my heart 
I thought you might perhaps bestow a moment upon me. I 
only wished to let your excellency know that it has turned 
out exactly as I hoped. I communicated to the Electress my 
purpose of making an artist’s tour into Holland. Her high- 
ness seemed highly delighted at the idea, and gave me an 
open note to the Electoral Prince, introducing me to her son 
as a skillful portrait painter.” 

Just show me this note.” 

The painter handed him a small, neatly folded paper, 
which the count tore open and perused with a rapid glance. 

“ Nothing more, in fact, than a very warm recommenda- 
tion,” he said. ‘‘And this is all?” 

“ No, your excellency, the best part is yet to come. The 
Electress has appointed me her court painter. I receive the 
same salary as the recently deceased court painter, Mathias 
Ezizeken, namely, a yearly income of fifty dollars, hoard and 
rent free, with two suits of new clothes annually.” * 

“ Now, indeed, you may well be content,” laughed the 
count; “ that is truly a magnificent appointment, and hence- 
forth you become a prominent man at court here! But tell 
me, master, do you still accept in addition the little stipend 
I have allotted you? ” 

“ Your excellency, I esteem myself happy indeed that your 
grace has granted it to me.” 

“ And my treasurer has paid out to you the three thou- 
sand ducats? ” 

“ Yes, your excellency, he has paid them out to me, and 
I am now released from all cares.” 

“ You have only one care left, master,” said Count Schwarz- 
enherg — “ this one care, that I may some day denounce you 
as a shameful deceiver, who has sold me a had copy of his 
own manufacture for an original, and he assured that this 
deception may bring you to the gallows at any time if I 
choose it.” 

* Historical. Vide von Orlich, yol. ii, p. 456. 


REVELATIONS. 73 

But, most gracious sir,” stammered the painter, pale as 

death, I thought you had forgiven me, and ” 

“ Forgiven, so long as you are a faithful and obedient 
servant,” replied the count, in a severe tone — forgiven, so 
long as I can count upon your submission; but forget, that 
I shall never do. And at the slightest mistake, the least re- 
sistance to my commands, I shall remember what a cheat 
and good-for-nothing you are, and take hack my forgiveness. 
You have the three thousand ducats, but you have not yet 
given a receipt for them. Sit you down there at my table 
and write the receipt. I will dictate it to you myself.” 

Like an obedient slave Gabriel Metzel slunk to the table, 
sank down before it, took the pen which the count handed 
him, and placed it on the paper put before him. 

Write,” ordered the count, and with loud voice he dic- 
tated: I, Gabriel Nietzel, painter by profession, hereby af- 
firm that I have this day received from his excellency the 
Stadtholder in the Mark, Count Schwarzenberg, the sum of 
three thousand ducats in ready money. This money is the 
price paid for a painting by Titiano Vecellio, representing 
the goddess of beauty with a Cupid, who presents Venus her 
looking-glass. I bought this picture at Cremona for two thou- 
sand ducats, and I vow and swear upon my conscience and by 
all that I hold sacred that this painting, which I have sold 
to the count for an original painting, is actually an original 
painting by Titiano Yecellio’s own hand.” 

^^Yow, master, why do you hesitate? Why do you not 
write? ” 

Oh, sir, have some pity upon me! ” groaned the painter. 

I can not write that. I can not swear that it is an original 
by all I hold sacred.” 

Why, what does it signify? ” laughed the count; paper 
is lenient. The advantage to me is only that I can by means 
of this receipt prove to connoisseurs and picture lovers that 
I have bought an original painting from you. For the rest, 
if you will not write, why then, very good. I shall have you 
arrested on the spot, inform the Electress of what a deceiver 
you are, have the three thousand ducats forthwith taken away 
again, and keep you in prison until the suit is made out against 


74 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


you; then you shall be hung conformably with law and 
usage.” 

“ Mercy, your excellency, mercy! ” gasped Nietzel. I 
am writing even now! ” 

And with trembling hands he completed the receipt, and, 
on the count’s further command, subscribed his name. 

Schwarzenberg read it over attentively. “ This is a docu- 
ment, my dear painter,” he said, smiling, that may some day 
bring you to the gallows, for, only see, I have other confirma- 
tory evidence.” 

From a casket on his table he drew forth a roll of parch- 
ment, to which were attached two great seals, hanging by 
silken strings, and while he unrolled it he beckoned the painter 
to come near. See,” he said, this is a testimonial which 
I have had made out for me at Venice by the Duke di Gri- 
mani, affirming that Titian’s Venus is his property, and that 
you spent three months in his palace painting a copy of the 
original. You see well, dear court-painter Nietzel, that you 
are completely in my hands, and that I can have you strung 
up at any time, for the Stadtholder makes short work of cheats 
and perjurers, and sends them off to the gallows, where they 
belong! Now say, master, will you to the gallows or will you 
live in honor and Joy as the Electress’s court painter and my 
secret pensioner, my open foe? I give you free choice. Make 
your own unbiased decision.” 

I have no longer any choice,” groaned Gabriel Nietzel, 
Your excellency well knows that I have no choice. I love 
life; I have not courage to die, therefore I am your slave.” 

^^Not at all; you are court painter to her highness the 
Electress, and shall retain your office if you behave yourself 
wisely and discreetly. This very day you set out on your 
journey to Holland.” 

A fiash of joy gleamed in the painter’s eyes, and his brow 
cleared. The count remarked it and laughed aloud. 

Oh, my dear! I guess your thoughts,” he cried. You 
think that when you are in Holland I can no longer reach 
you, and you will take good care not to put yourself in my 
power again. But know that my arm is far-reaching, and that 
I have spies and agents everywhere, who are very devoted to 


REVELATIONS. 


75 


me because I pay them well. They will find you out wherever 
you are, and no jurisdiction would refuse delivering up to me 
a criminal if I demanded him. But besides that, Master Ga- 
briel Metzel, I hold here a sure pledge for your valuable 
person.” 

“What sort of pledge does your excellency mean?” in- 
quired Metzel anxiously. 

“ Why, I mean the fair Rebecca, whom you brought with 
you from the Ghetto of Venice, and whom it pleases you here 
to give out to be your wife, married at Venice. I hope, how- 
ever, that you have not committed so heinous a sin as to take 
a Jewess to wife, for then you should not escape with the 
gallows, but should be burned at the stake with your cursed 
Jewess, your bold paramour.” 

Master Metzel answered not a word. With a loud groan 
he sank upon a chair, and covered his face with both his hands, 
weeping aloud. 

“ Your fair Rebecca stays behind here with your boy,” 
continued Count Schwarzenberg; “and that she may be in 
perfect safety and never lack for my protection, I shall have 
her brought to Spandow, my usual place of residence. There 
she shall live, well watched and cared for, and there remain 
until your return. If, however, you have then proved your- 
self to be a good and obedient servant, I will myself restore 
to you your Rebecca, and nobody shall dare to molest you.” 

“ Tell me what I have to do, your excellency,” said the 
painter, with cold, desperate decision. “ I am ready and 
willing for everything, for I love my Rebecca and my son, and 
I will deserve them.” 

“ And it will not be made hard for you, master. You go, 
then, to Holland, introduce yourself to the Electoral Prince 
through the Electress’s letter of recommendation, and try to 
make yourself as agreeable and charming to him as possible. 
When you have succeeded in that, lament to him that life in 
Holland does not suit you at all, that you are homesick, and 
entreat most earnestly that the Electoral Prince include you 
in his traveling suite. This he will naturally do, and you will 
accompany him on his journey home. Have you understood 
me, and paid good heed to all my words. Master Metzel? 

6 


76 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE, 


Yes, your excellency, I have noted each word.” 

And you have found without doubt that it is by no means 
a difficult thing that I require of you. But the journey back. 
Master Nietzel, the journey back is a very dangerous and bad 
affair. You know, so many freebooters rove about everywhere, 
and Westphalia especially is swarming with Swedes and Hes- 
sians. If such a troop of soldiers knew beforehand that the 
Electoral Prince was coming that way, they would certainly 
lie in wait for him and fall upon him, either for purposes 
of plunder or in order to carry him off and extort a high 
ransom for him. The Electoral Prince will not passively 
submit to capture, but will resist; a battle will ensue, and 
then it might easily happen that in the heat of conflict a 
dagger should pierce the Prince or a ball go through his head. 
Those Swedes and Hessians are wild, fierce soldiers, and the 
Prince is in perpetual danger, especially in Westphalia. You 
must represent this to the Electoral Prince, and, to prove to him 
your zeal and love, you will entreat permission always to go a 
few hours in advance of him to make sure that the way is free 
and the Electoral Prince is threatened by no danger. He will 
therefore each morning acquaint you with the course of his 
route, and where to arrange night quarters for him, and the 
point where you shall rejoin him again. You are to precede 
the Electoral Prince as courier, and if, some day, he should 
be attacked at a wild spot on the road by a troop of Swedish 
or Hessian soldiery, robbed, taken prisoner, or even killed, 
that is no fault of yours, and no one could blame you on that 
account, for you have proved and evidenced your zeal in the 
most striking manner. You have comprehended me. Master 
Metzel? Have you paid good heed to my words?” 

Yes, your excellency, I have paid good heed, and under- 
stood everything well,” returned Master Gabriel, on whose 
brow the sweat stood in great drops. 

"Well, I have only this to add: Should the unfortunate 
accident really happen that the Electoral Prince is attacked 
by robbers and killed in Westphalia or somewhere else, then 
look to it, that you be found that day among^ his defenders, 
and bear off as token some wound received — for instance, 
a sabre thrust on the right arm. With this true sign of your 


REVELATIONS. 


77 


valor and your faithfulness come here to Berlin, and be as- 
sured that no one shall dare to suspect you when he witnesses 
your grief and especially your sabre thrust. It need be no 
deep wound, and surely the fair Rebecca has a healing halm 
which she can apply to you. Besides, the Electress will pro- 
tect you, and be certain that I will stand by you with all my 
might and influence. And now,, master, we have concluded 
all our business, and you will set out in an hour. I permit 
you, however, flrst to take leave of your fair Rebecca and the 
pretty child. Only, you must not be alone again with the 
beautiful woman, and therefore I have given orders that your 
wife and son be brought here. You will be pleased to stay so 
long at my chamberlain’s house; luncheon shall be served 
there for yourself and your family, and you can take it in the 
presence of my chamberlain. I have already imparted to you 
the needed commands, and taken care to have your wife and 
child fetched directly here. A vehicle is also prepared, ready 
to convey your wife to Spandow; I have a good, trustworthy 
housekeeper in my house there, and with her the two can 
dwell, and shall want for nothing, except it be yourself.” 

Most gracious sir,” said Gabriel Nietzel, with an expres- 
sion of deep anguish, “ I love my wife and child above every- 
thing, and am prepared to suffer and endure everything for 
them. But if I returned home and found my wife sick, or 
dead, or, what were yet worse, found her — - 

Well, why do you hesitate, master? Faithless, found her 
faithless, would you say — well, what then?” 

Well, then life would have no value at all to me,” smd 
Gabriel Nietzel firmly and decidedly. Then would it be quite 
indifferent to me whether I were hanged or burned; then 
would I desire nothing hut to die, and — before my death to 
avenge myself.” 

Ah! I understand you quite well, master, and know you 
well. You please me uncommonly with your energetic de- 
fiance and your hidden threat. In return I, too, will give you 
an open, candid answer. Master Gabriel Metzel, I am no 
enamored fool, who runs after every apronstring, or gener- 
ally takes any special pleasure in women. I have neither 
time nor inclination for that, and leave such things -to the 


78 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


young, the idle, and men who have no ambition and no head, 
but only a heart. I, Master Gabriel, have no heart at all, or 
at least none now any longer, and I herewith give you my 
word of honor as a nobleman and gentleman that your lovely 
Rebecca has nothing to dread from me. On the contrary, I 
shall have her watched and guarded, as if she were a ward 
intrusted to me, for whose honor I held myself responsible.” 

I thank your excellency — I thank you with my whole 
heart,” said Gabriel Nietzel, breathing more freely; and 
now you shall find me ready and willing to execute your com- 
mands faithfully and punctiliously.” 

It rejoices me, master, it rejoices me to see what a tender 
husband, or rather lover, you are. I repeat to you, you need 
feel no anxiety about your Rebecca. She will find herself 
quite secure in my society, while I fear that the Electoral 
Prince will have but little safety in your society, but be very 
often in danger.” 

I fear so, too, your excellency,” said Gabriel Nietzel, with 
a feeble effort to smile. 

But a good old proverb has it, ^ All they that take the 
sword shall perish by the sword,’ ” continued the count. “ It 
is not your fault, master, if the Electoral Prince does not know 
this proverb. Now farewell, master, and be of good courage, 
for another good proverb says, ‘ Fortune smiles on the brave.’ 
Go now, master, my chamberlain awaits you in the ante- 
chamber.” 

“ I am going, your excellency,” said Gabriel Nietzel hum- 
bly. May almighty God be with us all, and guard my wife 
and child! ” 

He bowed low and reverentially, then strode hastily toward 
the door. 

“ Gabriel Nietzel, one word more! ” called out the count, 
as the painter stood with his hand already upon the door 
knob. He turned and slowly came back. Master Gabriel 
Nietzel,” continued the count, with a mocking laugh, be so 
good as to give me the Electress’s letter.” 

The painter drew forth his leather pocketbook, took out 
the open letter of recommendation, and handed it to the 
count. 


REVELATIONS. 


79 


^ But the latter smilingly rejected it. You may keep that, 
master; I have already read that. The other, the second mis- 
sive from the Electress, you must give me.” 

Gabriel Nietzel shrank back, and gazed into the count’s 
large, glittering eyes. 

The other writing,” he murmured, “ the second writ- 
ing?” 

“ Why, yes, master, that secret writing, which you have 
naturally promised to shield with the last drop of your blood, 
and to hand inviolate into the hands of the Electoral Prince. 
My God! we know how often such oaths are made, and that 
hardly one has ever been kept. You Mve not been made 
court painter for nothing, with your salary of fifty dollars, free 
rent, and two suits of clothes. You must give something in 
return. Give me that second writing of the Electress, the 
one which you have sworn to hand only to the Electoral 
Prince; or rather, no, you shall not forswear yourself. Just 
tell me where you have stuck it, and I shall take it for my- 
self.” 

“ Your excellency, it sticks in my left breast pocket,” 
whispered Gabriel Metzel. The count laughed aloud, and with 
one movement drew forth from Master Gabriel’s left breast 
pocket a small packet, wound round with silken strings. With 
cautious hand, extremely solicitous not to break the string, 
he untied it, and took out the paper found beneath. Within 
this, indeed, lay a small, well-sealed letter. 

^ To my dear son, the Electoral Prince Frederick Wil- 
liam,’ ” read the count, with loud voice. You see, I was not 
mistaken. It is the Electress’s handwriting, and it is directed 
to the Electoral Prince.” 

And I have solemnly sworn to give it into no other hands 
than his,” murmured the painter. 

You shall keep your oath. Master Gabriel. Now go into 
the antechamber. My chamberlain awaits you there, and 
perhaps your fair Rebecca is also there already! ” 

" But my letter, your excellency — shall I not have my 
letter again? ” 

Certainly, master, you shall have it again. In a half hour 
I shall come out myself and give it to you. Oh, fear nothing. 


80 ' 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


The Prince will not suspect that any strange hand has touched 
it. Indeed, it concerns me very nearly that the Electoral 
Prince should put confidence in you, and be convinced of 
your honesty and good faith. Go now, master, I shall bring 
the secret epistle hack to you unscathed, and put it again into 
your left breast pocket.” 

When Master Gabriel Nietzel had crept out slowly and 
sorrowfully, the count hastened to his writing table, took up 
fiint, tinder, and steel, and made the sparks fiy until one fired 
the tinder and made it glow. Now he held a splinter of wood 
to the glowing tinder, and by its fiame lighted the wax taper 
in the golden candlestick. Then he quickly fetched, from 
a secret drawer of his writing table, a small knife with a fine 
thin blade, heated this at the light, and carefully and adroitly 
slipped it under the great electoral seal, which he carefully 
detached from the letter. He laid it carefully upon a small 
marble slab, and opened the letter. It was a very long, con- 
fidential communication from the Electress to her beloved 
son. With closest attention the count read it twice, and then 
with great pains folded it up again. 

“ It is just as I thought,” he said softly to himself: the 
Electress wishes the longer absence of her son. She intimates 
to him that she will not be displeased if he marries there, and 
even promises that she will soften his father’s wrath. She 
counsels him not to come here, and warns him against the 
evil spirit who has ensnared his father’s heart, and surely 
aims at the life of her dear and noble son. Well, it must he 
confessed, the Electress is on the right trail. Her mother’s 
instinct gives her insight into the future, and makes her a 
prophetess. I know it very well, Electress; we two have never 
loved one another, and have carried on a hitter warfare against 
each other for twenty years, in which, however, God be 
thanked, Schwarzenherg has always come off victorious. I 
hope, too, it will continue to be so, and this letter will furnish 
me with a good weapon. I shall take a copy of it. Who knows 
what use I may make of it one of these days, and out of this 
paper fashion a dagger which may turn against the writer and 
against the receiver, if it reaches the hands of the Electoral 
Prince. Yes, I shall take a copy, and then restore the original 


REVELATIONS. 


81 


to its envelope and affix the seal. And Master Gabriel shall 
take it to you, my dear Prince. Oh, take heed, and he upon 
your guard, Frederick William, for your respected mother 
is right. I am your evil spirit, and I can only stand if you fall; 
therefore, fall you must! Oh, I have learned much to-day, 
and received many a good lesson. ‘ It is better,’ so said the 
Elector to me — ‘ it is better that I have no son than a dis- 
obedient son, who resists my will.’ But he shall resist you. 
Elector George William — he will be disobedient to you, and 
I shall do my part toward making him so. Then how said 
Count Lesle; ‘ If the son becomes the father’s enemy, then it 
must be contrived to render the father the son’s enemy; thus 
will the equilibrium be preserved.’ Oh, my dear Count Lesle, 
I know very well the history of Philip of Spain and his dis- 
obedient and rebellious son Don Carlos. Take care, take 
care. Electoral Prince Frederick William, that you share not 
the fate of Don Carlos, and that your father punish you not 
as King Philip did his son! ” 


BOOK IL 


I.— The Double Kehdezvous. 

The Princess Lndovicka Hollandine walked restlessly to 
and fro in her apartment. Sometimes she stopped at the 
window and listened intently; then, finding all without still 
dark and silent, she stepped hack and continued her restless 
walk, at times listening again at door or window. While pass- 
ing the great Venetian mirror on the wall, on both sides of 
which were placed two silver candlesticks with immense burn- 
ing wax tapers, she caught sight of her image as brightly and 
distinctly as if it had been a portrait, and she drew nearer, like 
a connoisseur bent on examining a picture. She saw before 
her within the carved gilt framework a beautiful maiden’s 
form, in sky-blue satin robe that fell in wide, heavy folds 
around her full and blooming figure. The low-necked bodice 
left wholly uncovered her dazzling white shoulders, and be- 
neath the transparent gauze of her sleeves shone the fair white 
arms as from out a silver cloud. Her head rested proudly and 
gracefully upon the slender alabaster neck, and was crowned 
by a profusion of black hair, caught up behind in great loops, 
and fastened with hows of blue satin ribbon. On the broad 
and lofty brow it was massed in the form of a diadem, with 
numberless pretty little ringlets. Her cheeks were pale, hut 
of that clear, transparent paleness which has nothing in com- 
mon with sickness and suffering, hut is only peculiar to vehe- 
ment, passionate natures, with whom the cheeks are colorless, 
because all the blood concentrates in the heart. Her large 
dark eyes had at the same time a languid, melting expression 
and the fire and glow of passion; the finely cut, slightly curved 
nose, the firm, somewhat projecting chin, indicated energy 


THE DOUBLE RENDEZVOUS. 


83 


and decision; and around the full, rosy lips hovered a singular 
expression of good nature and frivolity. 

She contemplated herself for a long time, then a well- 
pleased smile passed over her fascinating countenance. “ I 
am beautiful,” she said, yes, I am beautiful, and I believe 
those are right who suppose that I resemble my great-grand- 
mother, the beautiful Mary Stuart. 0 Mary! you beautiful, 
bewitching Queen — oh teach me the arts which won for you 
the hearts of all men; inspire me with the glow of passion, 
let it flash forth from me in bright flames, and grant that 
these flames may kindle and Are the one I love, whom I will 
possess, and on whom all my hopes and desires are flxed! But 
hush! did I not hear steps?” 

She again hurried to the window and listened, holding 
her breath. A shrill, thrice-repeated whistle was heard, sound- 
ing strangely awful in the stillness of the night. 

It is he,” murmured the Princess, “ it is the concerted 
signal.” 

She took from a table standing near a package consisting 
of cords and knots, and unrolled it. It was a rope ladder, 
twisted artfully and durably of flne cords, and held together 
at the top by a strong iron ring. This ring the Princess now 
slipped over the iron hook which was flxed in the middle of 
the cross work of the window, and lowered the rope ladder, 
while at the same time, as if in answer, she repeated the whistle 
in the same manner. Then she hounded back from the win- 
dow, flew through the room to both doors, assured herself 
that the holts were secured, and with hasty hands dropped 
the curtains over them. 

No one can hear us, no one can see us, no one can get in 
here,” she murmured; he may come.” 

A slight rustling was heard below the window, then a dark 
mass appeared in the open space, and a closely muffled manly 
form jumped from the windowsill down into the apartment. 
Wholly enveloped in the folds of an ample black cloak, whose 
hood was thrown over the head and drawn far over the face, 
it was impossible to recognize the visitor’s features. 

The person thus disguised curiously and inquisitively 
turned his head to both sides of the room, strode rapidly across 


84 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


it, lifted the curtains from both doors, examined the fasten-- 
ings of the bolts, went to the divan, peered under it, and, after 
completing this silent inspection of the chamber, returned to 
the window, loosened the cord from the hook, drew in the rope- 
ladder, and closed the window. 

Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, standing in the middle 
of the apartment, had watched this singular demeanour on 
the part of the mysterious intruder with growing astonish- 
ment. She had first held out her arms to greet the expected, 
the longed-for, to press him to her beating heart, but, finding 
that he came not to embrace her, she had slowly dropped her 
arms again. She had looked toward him with a tender glance, 
a fascinating smile, but when he hastened not to her, her 
glance had grown dark and her smile had vanished; and now, 
when he did approach her, she assumed an air of distant, proud 
reserve. He seemed not to see it, and, bending his knee be- 
fore her, his head being still concealed, he pressed the hem 
of her garment reverentially to his lips. 

Most beautiful, most condescending of all princesses,” 
he whispered softly, I sue for pardon, for forgiveness.” 

The Princess shrank back, and a glowing fiush overspread 
her cheeks. " My God! ” she murmured, that is not the 
voice 

Not the voice of the one whom your highness desires to 
see,” said the kneeling figure, concluding her sentence for her. 

Yes, most amiable Princess, your tender, sensitive heart is 
not deceived. I am not the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg. 
I am 

" Count d’Entragues, the French ambassador,” cried the 
Princess, as the disguised man now threw back the hood of 
his mantle, and lifted up to her his youthfully handsome, 
smiling face. 

“ Scream not, most gracious lady,” said he, hastily, and 
do not scold me, either; but be merciful and forgive me. I 
lie here at your feet and entreat for pardon, and will not rise 
until you have granted it.” 

The Princess still kept her astonished and inquiring glance 
fixed upon him, but the sight of this handsome young man 
disarmed her wrath. 


THE DOUBLE RENDEZVOUS. 


85 

Stand up, Count d’Entragues/’ she said — stand up 
and account to me for this daring crim^.” 

Your highness is right,” returned he, it is a daring 
crime, and only the extremest necessity could have driven 
me to this. I shall immediately therefore have the honor of 
explaining all this to the lovely, bewitching Princess Ludo- 
vicka Hollandine.” 

With youthful agility he arose from his knees, took off his 
cloak, which he carelessly threw into a corner of the apart- 
ment, and presented himself to the Princess in a gold-em- 
broidered velvet suit, richly trimmed with lace and ribbons. 
Ludovicka fixed her large eyes upon the proud and dazzling 
apparition of the young count, and the angry hashing of her 
eyes softened. 

Sir Count,” she said, imperiously, without evasion and 
without circumlocution explain to me directly the meaning 
of this! ” 

^^You permit me to do so, then, fairest Princess? You 
thereby empower me to remain a half hour in your charming 
presence? ” 

And while the count thus questioned, he took the hand of 
the Princess and covered it with kisses. Then, with graceful 
gallantry and solemn seriousness, as if they had been in the 
midst of a grand courtly assemblage, he conducted her to the 
divan. There she seated herself, and he bowed before her 
with all the formality and obsequiousness of a courtier as he 
took his place beside her. 

Now your highness desires to know above all things how 
I can have dared to intrude here at so unusual an hour, and 
without the shadow of permission,” he said with his mellif- 
luous, insinuating voice. Most gracious Princess, I confess 
that you are well justified in this curiosity, and I hasten to 
gratify it. Your grace expected a visitor indeed, but not the 
tiresome, unbidden Count d’Entragues — not the ambassador 
and servant of King Louis XIII or Cardinal Richelieu, but 
you expected an eloquent, handsome young Prince, who loves 
the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine with passionate enthusi- 
asm, and to whom after long and vain entreaties she has at 
last granted a rendezvous.” 


86 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE; 


My God! ’’ said the Princess, with an expression of hor- 
ror, how know you that, count? 

My most gracious Princess, I have a magician in my 
service, who acquaints me with everything that happens here 
at court and, above all things, in the palace of the Queen of 
Bohemia, and first of all in the apartments of the Princess 
Ludovicka Hollandine.” 

And the name of this magician is? ” 

“ Ducato, sweetest Princess, Ducato. Ah! if you knew 
what dear, precious secrets this magician has imparted to me, 
how loquaciously he blahs out to me everything that the fair- 
est Princess in the world thinks and does by day and by night! 
I know, for example, how the lovely Princess stays with her 
mother with ever so much seriousness, goes Avith her to church, 
visits respectfully the Stadtholder of Holland, and fondles 
and pets the little Princess Louise; how she carries on her 
studies, plays the lute, paints and sings. But, God be thanked! 
life consists not entirely of days, but happily has its nights 
likewise.” 

What do you mean by that. Sir Count d’Entragues? ” 

I mean,” replied the Count, while he smilingly bent 
over closer to the Princess — I mean that here at The Hague 
there is a wonderful, charming combination of young gentle- 
men and noble young ladies, who have laid themselves out 
expressly to embellish these nights, and to indemnify them- 
selves for their somber, gloomy days by joyous, merry nights. 
It is a secret order, into which it is a distinguished honor to 
he received, and which is shrouded in deepest secrecy. Hever 
would a lady own that she belongs to it, and yet they say 
that the fairest, most exalted, most virtuous ladies press to 
he received into this order. It is not known of any of the 
ladies of the court that they belong to it, but it is suspected 
of each. No one can say that he has seen this or that one 
among the noble and virtuous ladies there, for at all the re- 
unions of the members of the order the ladies wear small half- 
masks, and it is the first and most sacred law of the order that 
no man dares to lay so much as a finger upon this mask — this 
precious secret of the ladies. Moreover, they appear only in 
Grecian robes, so that it is difficult to recognize the beautiful 


THE DOUBLE RENDEZVOUS. 


87 


forms of the ladies again in their elaborate court dresses and 
with their stiff Fontanges. The name of this secret society is 
Media Nocte, and it is especially an honor to belong to it, for 
nobody is admitted who has not stood his probation — that 
is to say, shown that he has acquired considerable proficiency 
in some art, and excels in it. He, therefore, who can not sing 
or play on the lute, paint or improvise, speak eloquently, or 
by some gift contribute to the enjoyment of the company, can 
never arrive at the distinction of becoming a member of this 
order. When, therefore, it is whispered of a gentleman that 
he belongs to the order, he is supposed to he not merely an 
accomplished gentleman, hut an entertaining companion, a 
favorite of the Muses. If this secret is whispered of a lady, 
then we look upon her with admiration, rapture, joy, for we 
know that we have before us one of those choice, enchant- 
ing, and rare beings, who are exalted above all prejudice; who 
believe not, with zealots and ascetics, that we live only to die, 
hut who joyfully acknowledge that we live to live, and, there- 
fore, that the noblest, worthiest task proposed is to render this 
life as pleasant as possible.” 

^^Why do you tell me all this, dear count?” asked the 
Princess impatiently. 

It is true,” replied he, smiling; why should I tell you 
what you know already? I tell it to your highness in order 
to prove to you that I, thanks to my little magician Ducato, 
know the secret of the Media Hocte; I tell it to you in order 
now to whisper a secret in your ear: the Princess Ludovicka 
Hollandine belongs to the society, she is a member of the 
order of the Media Hocte.” 

The Princess only with difficulty suppressed a shriek, and 
stared with horror at the smiling countenance of the young 
count. 

Hush, gracious lady, hush! ” whispered the latter while 
he took her hand and imprinted a reverential kiss upon the 
tips of her rosy fingers. Why should you wish to deny what 
is so genial and so delightful? My magician Ducato always 
tells me the truth; why should we dispute it? But it was 
not that which your highness wished to learn of me. You 
would ask me, how I know that the Electoral Prince of Bran- 


88 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


denburg loves the beautiful Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, 
and was to have his first rendezvous with her to-day. Once 
more, it is the magician Ducato who has told me that; yes, 
that good, obliging magician has done yet more for me. He 
put into my hands the pretty little note which the Princess 
Ludovicka sent yesterday through her confidential maid- 
servant to the confidential valet of the Electoral Prince, before 
the Prince had read it himself.” 

That is shameful — that is unheard of! ” said the Prin- 
cess, with glowing cheeks and tears in her eyes. It is an 
abominable piece of deceit on the part of my maid, and she 
shall pay for it. To-morrow morning I shall dismiss her, 
and ” 

That she may tell all the world the little secrets of her 
exalted mistress? ” asked Count d’Entragues. Oh, no, your 
highness; the maid is perfectly innocent of deceit, and it was 
only the magician Ducato who played the Princess’s pretty 
little note into my hands. And will my sweetest lady know 

now what I did with the little note? I read it first, then 

I saw there that a rendezvous was granted the Prince at one 
o’clock. I took a very small sharp knife and ” 

And? My God, go on! What did you with the knife? ” 
very delicately erased and altered the number from 
a one into a two. Then I refolded the note, and handed it 
to my magician for further preferment to the Prince.” 
‘^The Electoral Prince has received my note, then?” 

asked the Princess. Jle will consequently 

''Come at two o’clock, instead of one o’clock,” replied 
the count, and he intercepted the look which Ludovicka cast 
upon the large French clock upon the mantelpiece. "Yes, 
we have just a half hour before the Prince makes his appear- 
ance, and I hope that will suffice to obtain your highness’s 
pardon for my boldness, and to establish a good understanding 
between myself and the most spirituelle, most genial, and most 
beautiful Princess of all the European courts. Will your 
highness be kind enough to grant me a hearing? ” 

The Princess smiled imperceptibly. " The question comes 
somewhat late,” she said. "If you had asked it while you 
stood there on the windowsill, before you came into my room. 


THE DOUBLE RENDEZVOUS. 


89 


then I should have replied: ^ No, be off! No, you are a shame- 
less person, who has dared to spy out my secrets, to bribe my 
servants, and to deceive me, while he approaches me in a way 
that he knew perfectly was no+ open to him/ But you are 
here now; alas! I have not the power to expel you, and to 
punish you before all the world as you deserve.” 

0 Princess! as if your harsh and cruel words were not 
a punishment, which touches my heart more sensibly than 
the cut of a sword or thrust of a dagger! ” 

The Princess seemed not to have heard these words of 
the count, spoken with artistic effect, and continued: “ You 
are here now, and I will at least know what inspired you to run 
this unheard-of risk of forcing yourself upon my notice. I 
am therefore ready to listen to you, on condition that you try 
to be short and not burden me too long with your presence.” 

Permit me to thank you, most condescending Princess,” 
cried the count, while he sank from the ottoman down upon 
his knees, and pressed his glowing lips upon the hem of the 
Princess’s robe. I thank you, and swear that I will not 
overstep the limit prescribed, and depart at two with the first 
stroke of the clock.” 

Rise, count, rise and speak,” said Ludovicka, in com- 
manding tones, and with the full dignity of a Princess. 

Count d’Entragues again resumed his seat upon the divan. 
^^Your highness commands now that I explain how I could 
have dared to come here?” 

1 confess that I am very anxious to hear this explana- 
tion.” 

“ Well, then, your highness is young, very young indeed, 
hardly eighteen years old, but you possess, in addition to a soft 
and tender heart, an almost masculine intellect. I appre- 
hend from this that you interest yourself in politics.” 

There you are entirely mistaken, count. I hate, I abhor 
politics, and when my mother proposes to talk politics with 
me I always run away.” 

That is bad, very bad, your highness, for I am forced 
to talk politics to you. But I shall not be tedious, but limit 
myself to what is absolutely necessary. I shall therefore 
begin, in order to give your highness a proof of my rever- 


90 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


ential, unlimited confidence, by telling you what no one here 
knows — by telling you why I have been sent here and what 
my errand is. Princess, I have been ostensibly sent here to 
the Stadtholder of Orange and a*s ambassador from the King 
of France to the Sovereign States. In reality, I have been 
sent to two entirely different persons — to the Electoral Prince 
of Brandenburg and to the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine.” 

To me? asked the Princess, and her beautiful face 
expressed the most undisguised astonishment. 

Yes, to yourself, most gracious Princess. And does your 
highness know why? Because our spies here, as well as the 
gentlemen of the French embassy to Holland, had reported 
that the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg was smitten with 
the most glowing love for your highness.” 

The Princess blushed with pleasure, and a wondrous smile 
lit up her radiant countenance. But,” asked she, how 
does it concern the court of France whom the Electoral Prince 
of Brandenburg loves? ” 

It concerns the court of France very nearly, your high- 
ness. I can not avoid now burdening your highness a little 
with hated politics, while I explain to you how it comes that 
the love of the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg is a state 
affair for the European courts. It comes from this, your high- 
ness, because the Electoral Prince, however small and insignifi- 
cant his house, however inconsiderable, too, his future realm 
of Brandenburg, is still a very important personage. Three 
crowns are hovering in the air above his head, and if he ob- 
tains all three he will be a mighty Prince, and his sword may 
turn the scale in the balance of peace and war.” 

^^What three crowns are those which hover thus above 
the Prince’s head? ” 

There is first the crown of the dukedom of Prussia, with 
which the King of Poland has to invest the Electoral Prince 
of Brandenburg, and which the Elector of Saxony would 
be too glad to see fall upon his own head. Then, in the second 
place, there is the crown of the duchy of Pomerania, which 
belongs to the house of Brandenburg by right of inheritance, 
and which the Swedes are struggling for; and finally, in the 
third place, there is the crown of the duchy of Cleves, Juliers, 


THE DOUBLE RENDEZVOUS. 


91 


and Berg, which the Emperor of Germany has indeed ad- 
judged to that house, but which is so torn by Hessians and 
Spaniards, by the States, by the Swedes and various robbers, 
that probably hardly anything at all of it will be left. But 
nevertheless, there it is, and if the future Elector of Bran- 
denburg actually succeeds in uniting upon his own head these 
three crowns, besides the electoral hat of Brandenburg, then 
he will be mighty and influential, and have a full sounding 
voice in the concert of the European princes. But now you 
must know that the Elector of Brandenburg is sickly, and 
has not many more years to live. Then the Electoral Prince 
Frederick William becomes his successor, and it is only need- 
ful to have seen the Prince for a few hours, to have looked 
into his flery eyes, to be made aware that he will not tread 
in his father’s footsteps, that he will not be the submissive 
vassal of the German Emperor, a mere tool in the hands of 
his minister, but that his efforts will be directed to making 
himself a free, independent Prince, and his country a strong, 
powerful, and self-sustaining state. The Minister von 
Schwarzenberg, the almighty representative of the present 
Elector, knows this very well, and on this account dreads and 
hates the Electoral Prince; he has therefore removed him 
from his father’s court in order to take away all influence 
from him, and he would esteem himself happy if some lucky 
accident or criminal hand should free him from this incon- 
venient successor to the throne. But heretofore accident has 
not favored him; nor has he yet dared to press the mur- 
derous hand into his service; and he has therefore been com- 
pelled to devise some other method for securing his future, 
and so enchaining the Electoral Prince that he, too, may 
remain the Emperor’s obedient vassal. As the best means for 
attaining this object it has occurred to them to bind the Elec- 
toral Prince to the German imperial house by marriage, and 
to receive him into the Hapsburg family. The Archduke 
Leopold, the future Emperor, has a very pretty daughter. 
She is intellectual, ardent, a strict Catholic, and has at heart 
the greatness of the Hapsburg house and the German Em- 
peror. This princess, or rather archduchess, has been selected 
for the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, and on that account 

r 


92 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


the Electoral Prince is now to return home, for the Elector 
and his Minister Schwarzenberg are much bent upon the im- 
perial alliance, and have already promised that the Electoral 
Prince shall make a visit to the imperial court. But, excuse 
me, I am misusing your indulgence. Princess. I am holding 
forth to you a long-winded political harangue, forgetting en- 
tirely how you hate politics, what a heinous crime I am com- 
mitting, and that I weary you.’’ 

You do not weary me at all,” replied Ludovicka quickly. 

On the contrary, you interest me greatly. Only go on. I 
am listening attentively. You said that the Electoral Prince 
was to return home in order to make a visit to the imperial 
court, and to marry an archduchess of Austria? ” 

Pardon me, your highness. I only said this was the 
new plan of the imperial court, and consequently of the Min- 
ister Schwarzenberg and his Elector. And, indeed, the plan 
is good, for the son-in-law of the Emperor would he wholly 
dependent upon Austria, and if then the three pending crowns 
should settle upon his brow, it would he the same as if Austria 
herself wore them. Then they would cause the young mar- 
ried couple to make an agreement respecting claims of in- 
heritance, in accordance with which the survivor should be- 
come heir to the first deceased. Then, some day, the Electoral 
Prince, or the young Elector, would have the misfortune to 
fall from his horse, or he pierced while hunting by some mis- 
sent bullet, or fall a victim to a sudden problematical sick- 
ness; in short, he would die, and his wife would he his heiress, 
and through her the Electoral Mark Brandenburg, the duchies 
of Prussia, Pomerania, and Cleves, accrue to the imperial 
house. This would be then to put an end to the long, fearful 
war, to make peace with Sweden by relinquishing Pomerania 
to her, and, in order to see this war finally ended, which has 
desolated the whole of Germany, the other German powers 
would acquiesce in Pomerania becoming Swedish, and Cleves, 
Brandenburg, and Prussia Hapshurgian.” 

Sir Count! ” cried the Princess, “ now you become tire- 
some, for you have digressed from your subject! ” 

From the Electoral Prince? Oh, no; I have already 
come to him again, fairest Princess! I said all Germany 


THE DOUBLE RENDEZVOUS. 


93 


would consent to this marriage. Poland, too, would rather 
invest the Catholic imperial house with the Prussian crown 
than the reformed Elector, and prefer an Austrian neighbor 
as friend to a Russian; only two European powers would look 
askance upon this union, and consequently do all they possi- 
bly could to prevent its consummation.” 

And who are these two powers. Sir Count? ” 

. One power is France, who would never consent to so 
striking an aggrandizement of the house of Austria, and can 
not passively submit to see it spread itself so extensively 
north, west, and east.” 

“ And the second power, count? ” 

“ The second power is the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine 
of the Palatinate, who would never give up the handsome 
Electoral Prince, and would snatch at any means of prevent- 
ing his marriage with any one else. Will you condescend to 
acknowledge that I have told the truth? ” 

“Yes! ” cried the Princess passionately — “ yes, you have 
told the truth! I love him, and the only happiness upon earth 
for me is in becoming his wife! ” 

“ Princess, I presume to make a proposal to you. I^et the 
two powers that wish not the marriage with an Austrian arch- 
duchess conclude together a league offensive and defensive. 
The power France accedes to this with joy. It promises to 
further and support the second power in all her plans, to lend 
her efficient aid, that the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine 
may wed the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg.” 

“ Oh, heavens, count, you would do that, you ” 

“ France will do that, not I,” said the count passionately. 
“No, not I, Princess, for you know well that I was rash 
enough to lift my eyes to your heavenly apparition, my 

heart But hush, you poor, foolish heart, suffer and he 

dumb, sacrifice yourself, and only busy yourself in making 
happy the sweet object of your warm and glowing love! Prin- 
cess, you love the Electoral Prince! France offers you her 
assistance that you may marry him. This marriage will throw 
the Elector as well as the German Emperor into the greatest 
rage; they will both refuse their consent; they will require 
Holland to deliver up the Electoral Prince; they will pro- 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


94 

claim invalid the marriage between two minor lovers, and will 
cut oft the Electoral Prince from all means of subsistence.” 

Oh, that is shocking, you give me a glimpse of a back- 
ground which fills me with dread and horror,” lamented the 
Princess. 

Fear nothing, dread nothing,” whispered the count. 

France is here to support you. France offers the young 
couple an asylum in Paris, and will receive them at her court 
with pleasure. France will take care that the Electoral Prince 
and his wife want for nothing; she will pay him rich subsidies, 
contribute vast sums of money that the Electoral Prince may 
present his young bride with a costly outfit; and finally, in 
the name of her mother, the Electress of the Palatinate, pro- 
vide the Princess with a truly princely income.” 

“ How kind, how generous that is of France! ” cried Lu- 
dovicka. ^^It will promote my happiness, it will aid me in 
being united with my beloved; it thereby pledges me to eternal 
gratitude, and never shall I forget that I owe to France the 
happiness of my whole life.” 

"And that, adored Princess, that is the only thing that 
France claims for its good offices — a little gratitude! A faith- 
ful remembrance of its good offices rendered, the sure promise 
that the Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg will never 
range himself on the side of the enemies of France, never 
league himself with the house of Austria against France, but 
forever remain the faithful ally and friend of France! ” 

"I promise you that — I give you my solemn word for it! 
Oh, we are no ingrates, to reward you with ingratitude; be 
sure and certain of that. The Electoral Prince loves me; he 
will bid all welcome that makes a union with me possible; 
he will be eternally grateful to those who will lend us a help- 
ing hand.” 

" And — forgive me, your highness, for asking one ques- 
tion — has he offered you his hand; has he made you a formal 
proposal of marriage? ” 

"He has sworn a thousand times that he loves me; he 
has so long and so often besought me to grant him an inter- 
view that I have at last done so — all the rest follows.” 

" N'ow,” said the count, with a meaning smile, " that is 


THE DOUBLE RENDEZVOUS. 


95 


just as one may take it. In any case, this interview will he 
useful and to the purpose, and your highness must now bring 
the Prince to declare himself formally.” 

My heavens! ” cried the Princess impatiently, I tell 
you that he has very often declared himself, that he has sworn 
to me a thousand times that of all the world he loves me, and 
me alone! What more would you have him say? ” 

Princess, you are an angel of innocence and maidenly 
simplicity. When I say the Prince must declare himself, I 
mean by that that he must sue for your hand; he must say 
to you in so many words that he wishes to marry you.” 

“ Good! he shall do so, even to-day. Oh, sir, it pleases 
you to doubt the love of the Electoral Prince? You dare to 
think it possible that he may be only amusing himself with 
me — that he has no serious designs? I shall prove to you that 
you are mistaken — that you wrong me and the Electoral 
Prince alike by your doubt. This very night he shall offer 
me his hand — this very night I shall engage myself to him! ” 

And to-morrow night the nuptials must take place! ” 
cried the count. 

The Princess shrank back and a glowing blush overspread 
her cheeks. So soon — to-morrow night?” she murmured. 

My God! this haste ” 

Is necessary, if the marriage is ever to take place at all. 
Princess. There is a common but very wise proverb which 
says, ^ Strike while the iron is hot.’ Strike, Princess, strike, 
for I tell you what does not happen to-morrow night will be 
utterly impossible the day after. We have fortunately our 
secret agents ever3rwhere, as well here as at the courts of Berlin 
and Kbnigsberg, and we therefore know that both Count 
Schwarzenberg and the Elector have sent their messengers 
here to induce the Electoral Prince to a speedy departure, 
and to threaten him with his father’s wrath in case he should 
allow himself to marry the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine.” 

But that is abominable! ” cried the Princess, with tears 
in her eyes. 

One of these messengers,” continued the count, and 
indeed the messenger of Count Schwarzenberg, as I suspect, 
has already arrived this evening, and the Electoral Prince has 


96 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


already received him. The other will probably come to-mor- 
row, and if you then still delay, if you do not surprise the 
Prince in the first storm of his indignation, and thereby lead 
him to hind himself to you by a secret marriage, then all is 
lost, and the two powers Hollandine and France are conquered 
by Brandenburg and Austria.” 

That shall not be! ” cried the Princess, jumping up, and 
with hasty steps moving to and fro. No, we are not to he 
conquered! They shall not tear my beloved from me! ” 

‘‘ Well, Princess, if you are firmly resolved, then I beg as 
a favor to he allowed to be of service to you.” 

Yes, help me — advise me.” 

I have counted upon your love and your energy. Prin- 
cess, and therefore have already drawn up a stated plan. Will 
you hear it? ” 

Not merely hear, hut execute it, too, if it is at all prac- 
ticable,” cried Ludovicka, while she remained standing in the 
center of the room, and turned her large, flaming eyes upon 
the count, who had likewise arisen and advanced smilingly 
toward her. 

‘‘ Well, then. Princess, the plan is short and simple. The 
Prince makes you to-night his offer of marriage.” 

‘‘ Yes, this very night,” said she, proudly. 

He swears that he will marry you as soon as possible.” 

“ Oh, you may be sure of that; he will swear it to me.” 

“ Own to him that you have friends on whose aid and 
assistance you can count, hut let him not suspect who these 
friends are. Then lead the conversation to the Media 
Nocte But, my heavens! ” exclaimed the count, interrupt- 

ing himself, while he looked as if accidentally at the clock, 
“ it only wants now a few minutes of two o’clock, and the 
Electoral Prince will certainly come punctually, and therefore 
will be here directly. I have written out all that it is neces- 
sary that you will have the complaisance to do between this 
and to-morrow. Read it over at your leisure, and impress it 
rightly upon your mind. Here is the paper, and may my 
writing find a hearing and favor! If such be the case, as I 
hope and desire, then will your highness have the goodness 
to open your window a little at ten o’clock and display from 


THE DOUBLE RENDEZVOUS. 


97 


it an orange-colored ribbon. All the rest will take care of 
itself, and what your highness has to do is on the paper. I 
hasten to withdraw, that your highness may have time to read 
my writing.” 

But if the Prince should come now ? ” asked Ludovicka 
anxiously — ‘‘if he should see a man descending from my 
window? ” 

“ You are right. Princess; that is to be dreaded; and I, 
too, have considered that. I will not leave through the win- 
dow.” 

“ Not through the window? But in what other way would 


“Go away, would you say? By yonder door! I know 
perfectly well that it leads into the Princess’s private apart- 
ment, and thence into the antechamber. Oh, I know the 
Castle Doornward well, for is it not the residence of the 
Electress of the Palatinate and her fair daughter the Princess? 
Therefore I have had drawn out for myself an exact plan of 
it. Moreover, your waiting maid Alice awaits me in the ante- 
chamber. Forgive her for not having been able to withstand 
the persuasions of her compatriot, the magician Ducato. 
Alice will permit me to slip out of the castle by a back door. 
And now, adored Princess and exalted Electress of the future, 
permit your most faithful and devoted servant ere he depart 
once more to press your beloved hand to his lips, and to tell 
you how inexpressibly happy — and, alas! how inexpressibly 
wretched — it makes him that he can and — must assist in 
marrying the Princess Ludovicka to the Electoral Prince.” 

With a bewitching smile the Princess held out her hand 
to him. “ Count d’Entragues,” she said, “ I shall be eternally 
grateful to you for your self-sacrifice and good faith. I shall 
esteem myself happy if some day I may find an opportunity 
of proving this to you. Farewell! ” 

He pressed a long, glowing kiss upon her hand. “ Fare- 
well! ” he said. “ When I see you again. Princess, I shall 
accompany you to the altar, and must witness the transforma- 
tion of the Princess Ludovicka into an Electoral Princess of 
Brandenburg, and in my heart will be prayers, but also tears! 
Farewell! ” 


98 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


He sprang up, crossed the room with light, quick steps, 
unbolted the door, and vanished behind the curtain. The 
Princess watched him until he had disappeared, and, after she 
had convinced herself that he was actually gone, and had 
bolted the door again, she took out the paper and read over 
its contents slowly and with most serious attention. 

As she read, brighter and brighter became her face, con- 
stantly more radiant the smile upon her rosy lips. Yes,” 
she cried, after she had twice read it through, “ that will do 
— ^it shall he so! To-morrow in the Media Yocte I will ” 

A loud shrill whistle sounded. “ He comes! ” whispered 
she, he comes! ” 

With trembling hands she thrust the paper into a casket 
belonging to her writing table, and hurried to the window to 
open it and lower the rope ladder. 

At this moment the whistle rang forth for the second 
time, its tones following one another in quick succession. 

It is he — it is my beloved,” murmured Ludovicka, and 
with a happy smile she listened out into the night. 


II. — The Electoral Prince. 

The Princess had not long to wait. The groaning and 
creaking of the rope ladder already betrayed the presence of 
its burden. Ludovicka leaned farther out of the window and 
saw the dark shadow mount higher and higher; already she 
heard his breath, and now — oh, now he was there, swung 
himself in at the window, and without saying a word, without 
seeing anything hut herself, only herself alone, he fell on 
his knees before the Princess, flung both arms round her 
waist, and, looking up at her with a beaming smile, whis- 
pered, “I thank you, Ludovicka, I thank you! ” 

She bent down to him with an expression of unutterable 
love, and their bright eyes met in a tender glance. They 
formed a beautiful picture, those two youthful flgures com- 
bining in so lovely a group. She, bending over him with a 


THE ELECTORAL PRINCE. 


99 


look brimful of love, he gazing up at her with animated, radi- 
ant eyes. The full light of the wax candles in the silver 
chandelier illuminated his countenance, and Ludovicka looked 
down upon him with a smile as blissful as if she had now seen 
him for the first time. 

You are handsome,” she whispered, softly, while with 
her white hand she stroked his dark-brown hair, which fell 
in long waving curls, like the mane of a lion, over both power- 
ful shoulders. Yes, you are handsome,” she smilingly re- 
peated, and playfully passed her hand over his features, over 
the lofty, thoughtful brow, the energetic, slightly prominent, 
aquiline nose, over the full glowing lips, which breathed an 
ardent kiss upon the hand that glided past. 

Now let me look into your eyes and see what is written 
in them,” continued Ludovicka, and she stooped lower over 
the kneeling youth, and looked long into those large, dark- 
blue eyes, which gazed up at her, lustrous and bright as two 
twinkling stars. 

‘^Have you read what is in my eyes?” he asked, after a 
long pause, in which only their glances and their beating 
hearts had spoken to one another. ‘‘Have you read it, my 
Ludovicka? ” 

With a charmingly pouting expression she shook her head. 
“ No,” said she sadly, “ I can not read it, or perhaps there is 
nothing in them, or at least nothing for me! ” 

He jumped up, and, throwing his arms around her neck, 
leaned his face close against hers, hashed his burning glance 
deep into her eyes, and in doing so smiled a blissful, childlike 
smile. 

“ Now read,” he said, almost imperiously — “ read and tell 
me what is in my eyes! ” 

She slowly shook her head. “ There is nothing in them,” 
she whispered. “ But, indeed, how can I know ? The Elec- 
toral Prince Frederick William is so very learned, and it is 
only my own fault that I can not read what is in his eyes. 
It is written in Latin, or perhaps in Greek! ” 

“No, you mischievous, you cruel one,” cried he impa- 
tiently. “You just will not understand and read what is 
plainly and intelligibly written in my eyes. My heart speaks 


100 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


neither Latin nor Greek, but German, and the eyes are the 
lips with which the heart speaks.” 

‘^Well then, tell me. Cousin Frederick William, what is 
in your eyes? ” 

I will tell you. Cousin Ludovicka Hollandine. They 
say: I love you! I love you! And nothing hut I love you! ” 

“But whom? To whom are these three little words ad- 
dressed? ” 

“ To you, you heartless, you wicked one, to you are these 
words addressed. But not little words are they, as you say; 
they are great words, full of meaning: for a world, a whole 
human life, my whole future, lies in these three words — I 
love you.” 

He embraced her and pressed her close to his heart, and 
Ludovicka leaned her head upon his shoulder and looked 
up at him with moist and glowing eyes. He nodded smil- 
ingly to her, and then took her head between his two hands 
and gazed long and rapturously upon her beautiful face. 

“ So I have you at last, and hold you, my golden butter- 
fly,” he said gently. “ You are mine at last, and I hold you 
fast by your transparent wings, so that you can not flutter 
away from me again to fly up to the sun, the flowers, the 
trees! 0 my butterfly! you pretty creature, made of ethereal 
dust and rainbow splendor, of air and sunshine, of lightning 
flashes and icy coldness, are you actually mine, then? May 
I trust you? Think not I am only a poor little flower on 
which you may smilingly rock yourself an hour in the sun- 
shine, and enjoy the perfume which mounts up from its heart’s 
blood, and the love songs which its sighs waft to you in the 
breeze! Tell me, you butterfly, will you no more flutter away, 
hut he true and never more distress and torment me? ” 

“ I have never wished to distress and torment you, cousin.” 

“ And yet you have done it, so often, so grievously! ” 
cried he, and his handsome open countenance grew quickly 
dark, while his eyes flashed with indignation. “ Ludovicka,” 
he continued, “ you have tortured and tormented me, and 
often when I have seen how you smiled upon others and ex- 
changed glances with them, and allowed yourself to he pleased 
by their homage, their devotion — often have I felt then as if 


THE ELECTORAL PRINCE. 


101 


an iron fist had seized my heart to tear it from my breast, 
and felt as if I enjoyed this, and as if I exulted with delight 
over my own wrath. Tear out my foolish heart, you iron fist 
of pain, said I to myself; cast it far from me, this childish 
heart, for then shall I be happy and glad, then shall I no 
longer feel love hut be freed from the fearful bondage it 
imposes upon me. How often, Ludovicka, how often have 
I been ashamed of these chains, and bitten at them, as the 
lion, languishing in a dungeon, bites at his.” 

“ Truly, fair sir,” cried Ludovicka, as arm in arm she and 
her beloved moved toward the divan — truly, to hear you 
talk, one would suppose that love was a misfortune and a 
pain.” 

It is so indeed,” said he, almost savagely — yes, love 
is a misfortune and a pain; for with love comes doubt, jeal- 
ousy, and jealousy is the most dreadful pain. And then I have 
often said to myself as I wept about you for rage and woe be- 
cause I have. seen you more friendly with others than with 
me — I have often said to myself that it. is unworthy of a 
man to allow himself to be subjected by love, unworthy to 
make a woman the mistress of his thoughts, of his desires; 
that a man should strive for higher aims, aspire to nobler 
things.” 

To nobler things? Now tell me, you monster, is there 
anything nobler than a woman? Is there a higher aim than 
to win her love? ” 

No; that is true, there is nothing higher! ” cried he 
passionately. “No there is nothing nobler. Oh, forgive me, 
Ludovicka, I was a heathen, who denies his goddess, and finds 
fault with her out of excess of feeling. My God! I have suf- 
fered so much through you and your cruelty! And I tell 
you if you had not now at last heard my petition, at last 
granted me a rendezvous, then ” 

“ Then you would have killed yourself,” interrupted she 
— “ then you would have stabbed yourself on the threshold 
of my door, while you cursed me. Is not that what you would 
have said ? ” 

“No; I would have found out the man whom you pre- 
ferred to me, and I would have killed him, and you I would 


102 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


have despised— that is what I would have said. But no, no, 
I can not conceive of or imagine myself despising you — lov- 
ing you no more! My whole soul is yours, and my heart 
flames up toward you as if it were one vast and living lake 
of fire. You smile; you do not believe me, Ludovicka! But 
I tell you, if you do not believe me, neither do you believe 
in love itself.^’ 

“ I do not believe in it, either, cousin; and you are quite 
right, your heart is a lake of fire. You know, though, all fires 
become extinct? ” 

‘‘When fuel is denied them, Ludovicka — not till then. 
They burn constantly, if supplied with constant fuel.” 

“ So then, my Electoral Prince, my heart is the fuel you 
would require?” 

“ Yes, my Princess, I do require it. I implore it of you. 
Be good, Ludovicka, torment me not. Let me at last feel 
myself blessed — let me put my arm around you, and say and 
think, she is mine! mine she remains! ” 

“ Mine she remains! ” repeated Ludovicka, sighing. “Alas! 
Frederick, how long ere you will no longer wish that I were 
yours; how long ere all the oaths of your heart will he for- 
gotten and forever hushed? I have heard it from all women 
— they all say that the love of men is perishable; that, like 
a flash of lightning, it shines forth with vivid blaze, then 
vanishes away.” 

“ And they have all deceived you or been deceived them- 
selves, Ludovicka. The love of men never expires, unless 
forcibly extinguished by women. Be trustful, my Ludovicka, 
trustful, and pious, and let love, holy and still, ardent and 
glowing, penetrate your heart, just as I do, without trembling, 
without hesitancy, and without the fear of men.” 

“ You love me, then, love me truly? ” asked Ludovicka, 
tenderly clinging to him. 

“ I love you with wrath and pain, love you with rapture 
and delight, love you in spite of the whole world! I will 
know nothing, consider nothing, hear nothing of the folly of 
the wise, of the irrationality of the rational, of the stupidity 
of the sage. I will know nothing and hear nothing, hut that 
I love you! Just as you are, so cruel and so lovely, so coquet- 


THE ELECTORAL PRINCE. 


103 


tish and so innocent, so passionate and yet so cold. Oh, yon 
are an enchantress, who has changed my whole being and 
taken possession of all my thoughts and all my feelings. For- 
merly I loved my parents, feared my father, respected my 
friend and early teacher, the faithful Leuchtmar, listened to 
his counsels, followed his advice. But now all that is past — 
all is swallowed up. I think only of you, only know you, only 
hear you.” 

And yet a day will come when I shall call upon you in 
vain, a day when you shall no longer hear my voice.” 

“ It will be the day of my death.” 

No; the day when you leave this place. The day on 
which you return to your native land to become there a reign- 
ing lord, and leave the poor humbled Princess Ludovicka 
behind here deserted and alone.” 

‘‘But you? Will you not go with me?” he asked, in 
amazement “ Will not my country he yours? And if I am 
a reigning lord, will you not stand as sovereign lady by my 
side?” 

“I?” asked she, bewildered. “How do you mean? I 
do not understand you.” 

“ I m^an,” he whispered softly, while he clasped her closely 
to himself — “ I mean that you shall accompany me as my 
wife.” 

“ But! ” cried she, smiling, and with an expression of 
radiant joy — “ but you have never said that I should he your 
wife.” 

“ Have I not told you that I love you? Have I not been 
repeating to you for a year that I love you? And does it not 
naturally follow that you and you alone are to he my wife ? ” 

“ But they will not suffer it, Frederick! ” cried she, with 
an expression of pain. “ No, they will never suffer you to 
make me your wife.” 

“Who will not suffer it, Ludovicka?” 

“ Your parents will not suffer it, and the great Lord von 
Schwarzenherg, who rules your father, as my mother has 
told me, and Herr von Leuchtmar, who rules you and ” 

“Nobody rules me,” interrupted he indignantly, and a 
flush of anger or shame suffused his face. “ No, nobody rules 


104 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


me, and I shall never be subject to any other will than my 
own.” 

“ So you say now, Frederick, while you look into my eyes, 
while you are at my side. But to-morrow, when I am no 
longer by, when your tutor shall have proved with his cold, 
matter-of-fact arguments that the poor Princess Ludovicka 
is no fit match for the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg — 
to-morrow, when your tutor will chide his beloved pupil for 
ever having allowed so foolish a love to enter his heart, 
then ” 

I am a pupil no longer,” interrupted he with glowing 
cheek. “ I am seventeen years old, and no tutor has any 
more power over me.” 

She seemed not to have heard him, and continued in her 
sweet, melancholy voice: To-morrow, when perhaps an- 
other messenger comes to summon you home, when he brings 
you a letter from your father with the command to set forth 
immediately, in which you are informed that he has selected 
a bride for you, oh, then will the Electoral Prince Frederick 
William be naught but the obedient son, who obeys his father’s 
commands, who leaves this country to seek his native land, 
and to wed the bride who has been chosen for him by his 
father.” 

No! ” shouted the Electoral Prince fiercely, while he 
leaped up from the divan, and stamped his foot upon the 
ground — I say no, and once more no. I shall not do what 
they order. I shall only follow my own will. And it is my 
will, my fixed, unalterable will, to make you my wife, and this 
will I shall carry into effect, despite my father, the German 
Emperor, and the whole world. Ludovicka, I here offer you 
my hand. Do you accept it? Will you be my wife? ” 

With a countenance irradiated by energy, pride, and love 
he held out his hand to her, and smilingly she laid her own 
small hand in his. 

Yes,” she said, I will be your wife. With pride and 
joy I accept your beloved hand, and swear that I love you, 
and will honor and obey you as my lord and my beloved! ” 
He sank upon his knees before her, and kissed the hand 
which rested in his own. Ludovicka Hollandine, Princess 


THE ELECTORAL PRINCE. 


105 


of the Palatinate,” he said, with distinct and solemn voice, 
I, Frederick William, Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, vow 
and swear hereby to love and be faithful to you ever as your 
wedded husband.” 

I accept your oath, and return it! ” she cried joyfully. 
I, too, swear to love and be ever true to you, and to take you 
for my husband. And here you have my betrothal kiss, and 
here you have your destined bride. Take her, and love her a 
little, for she loves you very much, and she will die of chagrin 
if you forget her! ” 

I shall never forget you, Ludovicka! ” cried he, tenderly 
embracing her. “ Storms indeed will come, violent tempests 
will rage about us, but I rejoice in them. For strength is tried 
by storms, and when it thunders and lightens I can then prove 
to you that my arm is strong enough to protect you, and that 
you are safe from all danger upon my heart.” 

0 Frederick! and still, still would they separate us. My 
mother just said to me yesterday, ‘ Take care not to love the 
Electoral Prince seriously, for he can nevey he your husband.’ 
And when, trembling and weeping, I asked the reason, she 
at last replied, ‘ Because you are a poor Princess, and because 
the misfortunes of your house overshadow you likewise.’ The 
Elector and his minister will never give their consent to such 
a union, and the Electoral Prince will never have the spirit to 
he disobedient to his father and to marry in opposition to his 
wishes.” 

She darted a quick, searching glance at his face, and saw 
how he reddened with indignation. 1 shall prove to your 
mother that she is mistaken in me,” he said vehemently. ‘‘ I 
aril indeed yet young in years, but I feel myself in heart a 
man who bows to no strange will, and is only obedient to the 
law of his conscience and his own judgment. I love you, 
Ludovicka, and I will marry you! ” 

If they give us time, Frederick,” sighed Ludovicka. “ If 
they do not force me first to wed some other man.” 

“What do you say?” cried the Electoral Prince, grow- 
ing pale, as he clasped his beloved yet closer to his side. 
“ Could it he possible that ” 

“ That they sell and barter me away, just as they do other 


106 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


princesses? Yes, alas! it is possible. Ay, Frederick, more 
than possible — ^it is certain that they have such views. Where- 
fore think you, then, that the Electoral Prince of Hesse is 
here — that he came yesterday with my uncle, the Stadtholder, 
to visit my mother, and that he was even presented to me in 
my own apartment? 0 Frederick! my mother has told me 
it is a settled thing — that the Electoral Prince of Hesse has 
come to marry me. They have already made arrangements, 
and got everything in readiness. Hay after to-morow is 
to be the day for his formal wooing, and if you do not save 
me, if you know of no way of escape, then in eight days I 
shall be the bride of the Electoral Prince of Hesse. I had 
planned, Frederick, to try you first — to hear from yourself 
whether you actually loved me, whether your love was earnest. 
Had I discovered that you were only making sport of my 
heart, had you not formally offered me your hand and sued 
for me as your wife, then would I have gone silently away, 
would have buried my love in the depths of my soul, sacri- 
ficed myself to my mother’s wishes and the misfortune of my 
house, and become the wife of the Electoral Prince of Hesse. 
But you do love me, you offer me your hand, and now I confess 
my love openly and joyfully — now I cast myself in your arms 
and entreat you: Save me, my Frederick, do not let them 
tear me away from you! Save me from the Electoral Prince 
of Hesse! ” 

She firing both her arms around him, pressed him closely 
to her, and looked up to him with tenderly beseeching eye. 
With passionate warmth the Electoral Prince kissed those 
alluring eyes and lips responding to his pressure. '' You shall 
be mine, you must be mine, for I love you inexpressibly. I 
can not, I will not live without you! ” 

Let us fiy, my beloved,” whispered she, always holding 
him in her embrace. Let us fly before the wrath of your 
father, before the courtship of the Electoral Prince of Hesse. 
Let us preserve our love in some quiet corner of the earth; 
let us fly where no one can follow us, where your father’s 
will and his minister’s hate can have no power — let us 
fly! ” ^ ^ 

^^Yes,” said he, clasping closer in his arms the tender. 


THE ELECTORAL PRINCE. 


lor 

glowing creature who clung so affectionately to him — ^‘yes, 
let us fly, my beloved. They shall not tear you from me; I 
will have you, in spite of them all — you shall be mine, even 
though the whole world should rise up in opposition. To- 
morrow night let us make our escape. You are right; there 
must be some quiet corner of the world where we can hide 
ourselves, living for happiness, for love alone, until it is per- 
mitted us to emerge from our seclusion, and assume the sta- 
tion in the world due to us both. Yes, we will flee, Ludo- 
vicka, we will flee, no matter where! ” 

Oh, I hope I know a place of refuge, where we may be 
sheltered from the first wrath of Our relatives, my Frederick. 
T have friends, infiuential, mighty friends, who will gladly 
furnish us with an asylum, and from whom we may accept 
it. To them I shall turn — ^to them apply for a retreat. They 
will provide us with the means for flight. Only, my beloved,’’ 
she continued, hesitating and with downcast eyes, only one 
thing is needful to enable me to fiee with you.” 

What is that, my beloved, tell me? ” • 

Frederick, I can only follow my husband, only go with 
you as your wife.” 

Yes, you sweet, lovely girl, you can only follow me as 
your husband. To-morrow night we make our escape, and 
ere we escape we must be married, and a priest shall bless 
our love. You say you have influential and powerful friends 
here, and indeed I know that the richest, noblest men in Hol- 
land vie with one another for one kind glance from my Lu- 
dovicka. Oh, not in vain have the States stood godfather for 
my bride, and given her their name. Now will some rich, 
powerful citizen of Holland prove that he, too, is godfather 
to the lovely Princess Hollandine, and in Java or Peru, or 
perhaps on some ship, find us a republic. I accept it, beloved, 
I accept it, and swear beforehand that the future Elector shall 
reward the rich mynheer and the whole of Holland for the 
good now done to the Electoral Prince and his beloved Hol- 
landine. Speak, therefore, to your good, rich friends; tell 
them they may help and assist us. I agree to everything, I 
accept everything. I only want you, you yourself, for you 
are my all, my life, my light! ” 


108 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


You give me full power, then, to make arrangements for 
our flight, my Frederick? ” 

I give you full power, my beloved; you are wiser, more 
thoughtful than I am; besides, you are not so strictly guarded, 
so encircled by spies as I am.” 

‘‘No; to-morrow I am still free,” exulted she — “ to-mor- 
row the Electoral Prince of Hesse has as yet no power over 
me, and no one will he observing me. My mother has been 
detained by sickness at The Hague, and here at Doornward 
there are no spies. Yes, I take charge of all, beloved. I shall 
manage everything, and to-morrow night I shall expect you.” 

“ To-morrow night I shall come here to take you away, 
my beloved.” 

“ No, not here, for to-morrow my mother comes home, 
and then the castle will no longer he so solitary and quiet; 
then there will be many people here, and our movements might 
he watched.” 

“Well, where else shall I find you, Ludovicka?” 

She clung to him, and gazed tenderly into his glowing 
eyes. “ Oh,” she said, “ you do not know what I have ven- 
tured and dared for you. Do you remember with what ani- 
mation and rapture you spoke to me recently of the secret 
league which exists at The Hague, of the rare feasts which 
you solemnize there, of the pleasure and delight you experi- 
ence there? Do you remember how you lamented that we 
could not enjoy this glorious companionship together, that 
I could not he there at your side? Well, see, beloved, now 
you must admit how much I love you, and how ready I am 
to please you. I have in perfect secrecy and silence had myself 
initiated into the order of the Media Nocte.” 

“ You have done that? ” cried the Prince, in joyful aston- 
ishment. “ You belong to this glorious company of great 
minds, fiaming hearts, and noble souls? Oh, my Ludovicka, 
I recognize your love in this, and I thank you, and am proud 
of it that my betrothed belongs to the genial, the intellec- 
tual, and the elect. Oh, you are not merely my destined bride, 
you are my muse, my goddess, and in humility I how my head 
before you, and I kiss the hem of your robe, beloved mistress, 
chosen one! ” 


THE ELECTORAL PRINCE. 


109 


He bent his knee and kissed her robe, and bowed lower 
to kiss the tiny foot in its blue satin shoe. Then he raised 
one of these pretty feet and kissed it again, and placed it on 
his breast, holding it fast there with both his hands. 

Mistress,” he whispered, lifting up to her his counte- 
nance, beaming with love and enthusiasm — ‘‘mistress, your 
slave lies before you. Crush me, let me be dust beneath your 
feet, if you do not love me; let me die here, or swear to me 
that you will ever love me, that to-morrow night you will 
link your destiny indissolubly with mine! ” 

“ I will ever love you,” she breathed forth, with a magical 
smile; “ to-morrow night I will link my fate to yours.” 

“ Give me a pledge of your vow, a sign, a token of this 
hour! ” entreated he, still holding the little foot between his 
hands. 

“ What sort of pledge do you require, beloved of my 
heart? Ask, command; whatever it may be, it shall be yours! ” 

With beaming, happy look he gazed upon her glowing 
countenance, and nodded to her, and whispered words full 
of tenderness and love, and at the same time with fondling 
hand loosened the silver buckle which fastened the blue satin 
shoe upon her foot, drew off the slipper from her little foot, 
whose rosy hue was transparent through the white silk stock- 
ing, and smilingly thrust it into the breast pocket of his 
velvet jacket. 

“But, Frederick, my shoe— give me back my shoe,” said 
she, laughing; and her little hand and wondrous arm dived 
into his pocket to recover the stolen shoe. But the Prince 
held fast the little hand, whose warm, soft touch he felt to 
the deepest recesses of his heart, and pressed warm, glowing 
kisses on that ravishing arm, which seemed to quiver and 
tremble at the touch of his lips. 

“My shoe,” she breathed softly — “give me my shoe!” 

“Never!” said he energetically. “No, I swear it, so 
truly as I love you, I shall never give back to you this prec- 
ious jewel. Mine it remains, and not for all the treasures 
of the earth do I give it back again. Here, on my heart, it 
shall rest, the charming little shoe, and when I die it shall 
rest beside me in my coffin.” 


110 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


no, I will have it again! cried Ludovicka. My 
heavens! what would my chambermaid say, if to-morrow 
morning one of my shoes had vanished — been spirited away? ” 
Let her say and think what she pleases, dearest. Tell 
her you will direct her where to find it on the day after to- 
morrow. Think you not that when our flight is discovered, 
she will readily guess who has stolen your shoe ? ” 

‘^But see, Frederick, see my poor foot; it is freezing, 
pining for its house! 

And smilingly Ludovicka extended toward the Prince her 
shoeless little foot. He took it between his hands and breathed 
on it with his glowing breath, and pressed upon it his burning 
lips. 

« Forgive me, you beautiful foot, for having robbed you 
of your house. But look you, dear foot, the little house shall 
now become a sacred memento of my love and my betrothal; 
and look you, dear foot, I swear to you that you shall walk 
in pleasant paths. I shall strew flowers for you, you shall tread 
upon roses, and not a thorn shall prick you and not a stone 
bruise you. That I swear to you, you little foot of the great 
enchantress, and therefore forgive me my theft! ” 

It shook its head, it will not! ” cried Ludovicka, swing- 
ing her foot to and fro. 

^Ht shall forgive, or I will punish its mistress!’’ cried 
the Prince, while he sprang up, ardently encircling his be- 
loved with his arm. Yes, you shall pay me for your cruel 
foot, and 

All at once he became silent, and, hearkening, looked to- 
ward the wall. Ludovicka shrank back, and turned her eye 
to the same spot. 

^^Is there a door there?” whispered he. 

Yes,” she breathed softly, a tapestry door leading to 
the small corridor, and thence into my sleeping apartment.” 
Is any one in your sleeping room? ” 

^‘My little cousin, Louisa of Orange, who came to-day, 

and insisted upon staying here Hush, for God’s sake! 

she is coming. Hide yourself! ” 

He flew across the room and jumped behind the door 
curtain, through which d’Entragues had gone out a little 


THE ELECTORAL PRINCE. 


Ill 


while before. The curtain yet shook from the violence of 
his movement, when the little tapestry door on the other side 
was opened, and a lovely child appeared upon the threshold. 
A long white nightgown, trimmed with rose-colored favors, 
concealed the slender delicate form in its flowing drapery, 
falling from the neck to the feet, which, perfectly bare, peeped 
forth from beneath the white wrapper like two little rose- 
buds. Her fair hair was parted over the broad, open brow, 
and fell in long, heavy ringlets on each side of the lovely 
childish face. The big blue eyes looked so pious and innocent, 
and such a soft, gentle smile played about the fresh crimson 
lips! In this whole fair apparition there was such a wondrous 
magic, so superhuman a loveliness, that it might have been 
supposed that an angel from heaven had descended and was 
now entering this apartment, which was yet aglow with the 
sighs and protestations of passionate earthly love, and radiant 
as a consecrated altar taper shone the candle in the silver 
candlestick which she carried in her hand. Lightly and in- 
audibly the child tripped across the floor to the Princess, 
who had thrown herself upon the divan, and assumed the 
appearance of just being aroused from a deep slumber. 

Forgive me, dear, beautiful Aunt Ludovicka,’’ said the 
little girl, in a low, soft voice, while she placed the candle 
upon the table and leaned over the Princess — “ forgive me 
for waking you up. But I had such a fearful dream, and I 
fancied it was real. It seemed to me as if robbers were in 
the castle. I heard them laugh and talk quite plainly, and I 
was dreadfully distressed, and called you. You did not an- 
swer me, and then I thought they had already murdered you, 
and I sprang from the sofa where they had prepared my 
couch, near to your bed. You were not there, your bed was 
cold and empty, and still I heard quite plainly the loud laugh- 
ing and talking of the robbers, and I was so dreadfully 
anxious and distressed that I must see where you were — I 
must see if they had not murdered you. I took the light and 
came here running, and, God be thanked! here is my dear 
Aunt Hollandine, and no robbers have taken her away from 
me, and no murderers have killed her.” 

With her slender childish arms she embraced the Princess, 


112 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


and pressed her rosy cheeks tenderly against Ludovicka’s 
glowing face. 

‘‘You little blockhead, how you have frightened me!’’ 
said Ludovicka, repulsing her almost rudely. “ I was asleep 
here, dreaming such sweet dreams, and all at once you have 
come and waked me, you little night owl. Go, go to bed, 
Louisa, and do not he so timid, child. No robbers and mur- 
derers come here, and in our castle you need not be afraid.” 

“ Ah, Aunt Hollandine,” whispered the child, while she 
cast a frightened, anxious glance around the room — “ ah. 
Aunt Hollandine, I am afraid that this castle is haunted. 
It was either robbers or evil spirits who made such a noise 
and talked and laughed so loud. And ” — she stooped lower 
and quite softly whispered — “ and you may believe me, dear, 
good aunt, it is haunted here. I plainly saw the curtain across 
there shake as I entered. Evil spirits are abroad to-night. 
Do you hear how it howls and whistles out of doors, and how 
the windows rattle? Those are spirits, and they have flown 
in here and laughed and danced. 0 aunt! you did not hear, 
hut I did, for I have been awake, and have heard and seen 
how the door curtain shook, and there they lurk now, those 
wicked spirits, and look at us and laugh. Oh, I know, that, 
I do! My nurse, Trude, told me all about it the other even- 
ing, and she knows. There are good and bad spirits; hut the 
good spirits make no noise, and you would not know they w^ere 
here. They come to you so quietly and so gently, and sit by 
your bed and look at you, and their faces shine like the moon 
and their eyes like stars, and their thoughts are prayers and 
their smiles God’s blessing. But evil spirits are noisy and 
boisterous, and laugh and make an uproar as thev did to- 
night! ” 

“ You have been dreaming, little simpleton, and fancy 
now that you really heard what dull sleep alone was thrum- 
ming about your ears. All has been quiet and peaceful here, 
and no evil spirits were in this room — trust me.” 

“Neither were good spirits here, aunt! ” cried the child; 
with tearful voice. “The door curtain did move, and I did 
hear laughter— believe me. And, dear Aunt Hollandine, I 
beg you to give me . your hand and come with me into your 


THE ELECTORAL PRINCE. 


113 


sleeping room, and please be kind enough to your poor little 
Louisa to take her with you into your great fine bed, and let 
us hug one another and pray together and sleep together; then 
the evil spirits can not get to us. Come, dear aunt, come! ” 

With both her hands she seized the Princess by the arm, 
and tried to lift her from the divan. But Ludovicka hastily 
pushed her away. 

Leave such follies, Louisa, and go to bed! ’’ she said 
angrily. Had I known what a restless sleeper you were, I 
should not have gratified your wish of staying with me, but 
had you put to bed on the other side of the castle with the 
little princesses, my sisters.” 

Aunt,” said the child, in a touching tone of voice, “ I 
will be perfectly still and quiet, I shall certainly not disturb 
you, if you will only be good and kind enough to come with 
me.” 

“ No,” said Ludovicka, no, I am not going with you, for 
I have something still to do here. But if you are good and 
docile, and go back quietly and prettily to the sleeping room, 
and creep into your little bed, then I promise you to come 
soon.” 

Well, then, I will go,” sighed the child, and dropped 
her little head like a withered flower. Yes, I will be good, 
that you may love me. But please come soon. Aunt Ludovicka, 
come soon.” 

She again took the candlestick from the table, nodded to 
the Princess and tried to smile, while at the same time two 
long-restrained tears rolled, like liquid pearls, from her large 
blue eyes over her rosy cheeks. Softly and with her little 
head always bowed down she crossed the apartment to the 
tapestry door; but, just as she was on the verge of the thresh- 
old, she stopped, turned around, and an expression of radiant 
joy flashed across her pretty face. 

Dear aunt,” she cried, Trude told me that when we 
pray evil spirits must fly away, and have no longer any power. 
I will pray, yes, I will pray for you.” 

And the child sank upon her knees. Placing the candle- 
stick at her side, she folded her little white hands upon her 
breast, raised her head and eyes, and prayed in a distinct, 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


lU 

earnest voice: ‘‘ Dear Heavenly Father and all ye holy angels 
on high, protect the innocent and the good! 0 God! guide 
us to thee with the golden star which shone upon the shep- 
herds in the field when they went out to seek the child Christ! 
Blessed angels, come down and keep guard around our bed, 
that no evil spirits and bad dreams can come to trouble us! 

God and all ye holy angels on high, have pity on the innocent 
and good! Amen! Amen! Amen! ” 

And at the last amen, the child rose from her knees, again 
took up her light, and tripped lightly and smiling out of the 
room. 

Ludovicka sprang to the door, shut it close, and leaned 
against it. The Electoral Prince stepped forth from the cur- 
tain on the other side, and his countenance was grave, and his 
large eyes were less fiery and passionate, as he now approached 
the Princess. 

Poor child,’’ he whispered, how bitterly distressed she 
is! Go to her, my precious love, and pray with her for our 
happiness and our love.” 

Are you going away already, my Frederick? ” she asked 
tenderly. 

He pointed with his finger to the tapestry door. She is 
so distressed, and her dear little face was so sad, it touched me 
to the heart.” 

How foolish I was,” she murmured impatiently — how 
foolish not to think of it, that the child might disturb us! 

She has often before spent the night with me, and never 
waked up, never ” 

“ Never has she been disturbed,” concluded the Prince, 
smiling. Never before have evil spirits chattered and 
laughed within your room, and roused her fi*om her sleep. But 
she shall yet see that her prayer has not been in vain, but 
that it has exorcised the evil spirits. Farewell, dear one! 
Farewell, and this kiss for good-night — this kiss for my be- { 
loved promised bride! The last betrothal kiss, for to-morrow J 
night you will be my wife! God and all ye holy angels on 
high, protect the innocent and good! ” 

He kissed once more her lips and her dark, perfumed hair, 
then hastened with rapid step across the apartment, hurriedly i 


THE ELECTORAL PRINCE. 


115 


opened the window, lowered the rope ladder, and swung him- 
self up on the windowsill.” 

‘‘ Farewell, dearest, farewell! To-morrow night we shall 
meet again! ” he whispered, kissing the tips of his fingers 
to her. Then he seized the rope ladder with both hands, and 
ere the Princess, who had hastened toward him, had yet found 
time to assist him and offer her hand to aid him in descending^ 
his slight, elastic figure had disappeared beneath the dark 
window frame. 

Ludovicka leaned out of the window, and with all the 
strength of her delicate little hands held firm the rope ladder, 
which swayed backward and forward and sighed and groaned 
beneath its burden. All at once the rope ladder stood still, 
and like spirit greetings were wafted up to her the words. 
Farewell! farewell! ” 

He is gone,” murmured Ludovicka, retreating from the 
window — he is gone! But to-morrow, to-morrow night, I 
shall have him again. To-morrow night I shall be his wife. 

0 Sir Count d’Entragues! you shall be forced to acknowl- 
edge that the Electoral Prince loves me, and that his declara- 
tion of love is synonymous with an offer of marriage! I think 

1 have managed everything exactly as it was marked out on 
the paper. Let us look again.” 

She again drew forth the paper from the casket on her 
writing table, and read it through attentively. “Yes,” she 
murmured as she read, “ all in order. Offer of marriage elic- 
ited. Alarmed by the threat that they will unite me to the 
Prince of Hesse. Yot betray who the friends are who will 
render me their aid. Secret marriage arranged. Time presses. 
To-morrow night. All is in order. The Media Hocte, too, 
confessed. Only one thing is still wanting. I only omitted 
telling him that our rendezvous must be in the Media Hocte, 
and that we make our escape from there. Well, never mind, 
I can tell him to-morrow, and about ten o’clock the orange- 
colored ribbon may flutter from my window, and Count d’En- 
tragues will be so rejoiced! Oh, to-morrow, to-morrow I shall 
be my handsome Electoral Prince’s wife! ” 

She stretched forth her arms, as if she would embrace, 
although he was invisible, the handsome, beloved youth, whose 


116 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


kisses yet burned upon her lips. Her flaming eyes wandered 
over the apartment, as if she still hoped to And there his flne 
and slender shape. Now, not flnding him, she sighed heavily 
and fixed her eyes upon the great portrait, which hung upon 
the wall above the divan. It was the half-length likeness of 
a woman, a queen, as was shown by the diadem of pearls sur- 
mounting her high, narrow forehead, and behind which a 
crown could be discerned. A rare picture it was, possessed 
of magical attractions. The large blue eyes, so glowing and 
tender, the soft, rounded cheeks, so transparently fair, the 
full, pouting lips, so speaking — all seemed to promise joy; 
and yet in the whole expression of the face there was so much 
melancholy and so much pain! Princess Ludovicka walked 
softly to the portrait, and lifted up to it her folded hands. 

I, too, will pray,” she whispered. Yes, I will pray to you, 
Mary Stuart, queen of love and beauty! 0 Mary! holy martyr, 
graciously incline thy glance toward thy grandchild. Let thy 
starry eyes rest upon me, and graciously protect me in the 
path that I shall tread to-morrow, for it is the path of love! 
Oh, let it be the path of happiness as well! Mary Stuart, pray 
for me, and protect me, your grandchild! Amen! ” 


III. — The Warning. 

Your highness stayed out very late again last night,” 
said Herr Kalkhun von Leuchtmar, as he entered the sleeping 
apartment of the Electoral Prince Frederick William, who was 
still in bed. 

Yes, it is true,” replied the Prince, stretching himself at 
his ease, “ I did come home very late last night.” 

The chamberlain has already waked your highness three 
times, and your highness has each time assured him that he 
would get up, but has each time, it seems, fallen asleep again.” 

^^Yes, I did fall asleep each time,” answered Frederick 
William, in a somewhat irritated tone of voice ; and what 
of it ? ” 


THE WARNING. 


117 


Why/’ said Herr von Lenchtmar pleasantly — why, the 
painter Gabriel Nietzel, who arrived yesterday, and to whom 
yonr highness promised to give audience this morning at 
eight o’clock, has been waiting almost two hours ; Count von 
Berg, on whom your highness was to call at nine o’clock, has 
been expecting you an hour in vain — the horse has stood sad- 
dled in the stable for an hour ; and the private secretary 
Muller, with whom your highness was to prepare to-day a treat- 
ise upon fortifications, will probably make no progress what- 
ever with the work.” 

‘‘ It seems that I am not to have the privilege of sleeping as 
long as I choose,” cried the Electoral Prince, with a mocking 
laugh. “ My house moves like clockwork, in which there is 
no comfort or rest whatever, hut where each must perform his 
prescribed service with mathematical exactness, that the whole 
he not stopped.” 

“ It is in a house as in a state,” said Lenchtmar seriously: 
each one, high and low, must do his duty, else the whole 
machinery stops, and, as your highness very justly remarked, 
the clockwork either stands still or is at the least put out of 
order.” 

“ Consequently, the clockwork of my house was disarranged 
merely because I stayed up two hours later than I have been 
accustomed to do ? ” 

Totally disarranged, your highness.” 

The Prince reddened with displeasure, his eyes flashed, 
and he had already opened his mouth for an angry reply, when 
he violently restrained himself. 

I will get up,” he said, and then we can talk more 
about it.” 

Herr von Lenchtmar bowed and withdrew to the ante- 
chamber. A quarter of an hour, however, had hardly 
elapsed before the chamberlain issued from the Prince’s sleep- 
ing apartment, and announced to Herr Kalkhun von Leucht- 
mar, that breakfast was served, and that his highness, the 
Electoral Prince, awaited the baron’s attendance at this meal 
in his drawing room. Herr von Lenchtmar hastened to obey 
the summons, and to repair to the Prince’s drawing room. 
Frederick William seemed not at all conscious of his entrance. 


118 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


He sat on the divan sipping his chocolate, and at the same 
time restlessly playing with the greyhound that lay at his 
feet, looking up at him with its gentle, truthful eyes. Herr 
von Leuchtmar seated himself opposite the Prince, and took 
his breakfast in silent reserve. Once the Prince’s eye scanned 
the noble, serious countenance of his former tutor, and the ex- 
pression of perfect repose resting there seemed to pique and 
irritate him. He jumped up and several times walked 
briskly up and down the room. Then he paused before 
Leuchtmar, who had likewise risen, and whose large, dark- 
blue eyes were turned upon the Prince in gentle sorrow. 

Leuchtmar,” said the latter, shortly and quickl^q “ all 
is not between us as it should be.” 

I have remarked it for some time with pain,” replied the 
baron softly. Your highness is out of humor.” ' 

“Ho, I am discontented!” cried the Prince; “and, by 
heavens, I have a right to be ! ” ’ 

“ Will your highness have the kindness to tell me why you ! 
are discontented? ” ] 

“ Yes, I will tell you, for you must know it in order that j 
you may endeavor to alter it. I am discontented, Leuchtmar, j 
because you and Muller will never forget that I have owed j 
respect to you as my teachers.” | 

“ Prince,” said the baron, lifting his head a little higher — ! 

Prince, have we two behaved ourselves so as no longer to J 
deserve your respect ? ” - 

“ Respect, indeed ; but you confound respect with obedi- 
ence, and wish me to obey you unreservedly, as if I were still | 
a boy, subject to his teachers.” ' 

“ While now you would say you are a Prince arrived at t 
years of majority, who no longer needs a teacher, and whose j 
earlier preceptors are now only his subjects, dependent upon t 
him.” V 

“ Ho, I would not say that ; and it is exceedingly obliging 
in you to carry your guardianship so far as even to interpret ^ 
what I would say. Meanwhile, you have made a remark ^ 
which claims my attention. You said that I was a Prince in u 
my majority ? ” 

“ Certainly, your highness, you are a major in so far as 


THE WARNING. 


119 


the laws of the electoral house of Brandenburg allow the 
Electoral Prince, in case of his father’s death, if he has 
attained his sixteenth year, to assume the reins of government, 
independent of governor or regent.” 

Consequently, if my father were to die (which God for- 
bid !) I might administer the government independently, in 
my own right ? ” 

Independently and in your own right, your highness.” 

Whence comes it then that I, who might undertake the 
government of a whole country, am yet perpetually under 
restraint in the conduct of my own private life, watched over 
and treated like an irresponsible hoy? It grieves me, Herr 
von Leuchtmar, to he forced to remind you that the time for 
my education is past, for I am not sixteen years old, hut already 
several weeks advanced in my eighteenth year.” 

I thank your highness for this admonition,” replied the 
baron quietly, and I confess that without it I should not have 
known that your education was finished.” 

Sir, you insult me ! So you still regard me as nothing 
hut a boy ? ” 

Ho, your highness, as a man, and I believe that Socrates 
was right when he said, ‘ The education of man begins in the 
cradle and ends only in the grave.’ ” 

You know very well that he meant it in a widely different 
sense. Our talk is not now of actual education, hut of the 
relations of pupil and teacher. The time of my pupilage is 
past, Sir Baron, and you will hear in mind, I beg, that I no 
longer sit in the schoolroom.” 

“ That, again, I did not know,” said Leuchtmar gently, 
and again in my defense I cite the wise Socrates, who said, 
^ Man is learning his whole life long, to confess at last that the 
only certain knowledge he has attained is that he knows noth- 
ing.’ ” 

Maxims and maxims forever ! ” cried the Prince im- 
patiently. " You want to evade me — you purposely misunder- 
stand me. Well, then, candidly speaking, I am sick and tired 
of being everlastingly found fault with, watched over, tutored 
and spied upon, and once for all I beg that a stop he put to 
all this.” 


120 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


“ Will yoar highness do me the favor to say who it is that 
finds fault with, watches over, tutors, and spies upon you? 

Why, yes — ^you, Baron Kalkhun von Leuchtmar, you and 
the private secretary Muller, you two first and foremost do 
those very things.” 

“ Your highness, if we have allowed ourselves to find fault 
with you when you did not deserve it, it was very presumptu- 
ous ; if we have watched over you and tutored you, surely 
that might be forgiven in former tutors and instructors ; but 
if we have acted as spies upon you, then have we both degraded 
ourselves and become contemptible, and your highness may 
esteem it as my last tutoring if I advise you to remove so un- 
worthy a couple of subjects forever from your presence.” 

You will lead me ad absurdum^ Leuchtmar! ” cried the 
Prince. “ You would prove to me that I am wrong and accuse 
you falsely. But you are mistaken, sir ; I only speak the 
truth. One thing I ask you, though : have you ever looked 
upon me as an ungrateful pupil, a disobedient scholar, an ill- 
natured, idle man? ” 

No, never,” returned Leuchtmar cordially. No, your 
highness ” 

Leave off those tiresome titles,” interrupted the Prince. 

Speak simply and to the point, without ceremony, as is be- 
coming in serious moments, when man stands face to face with 
man.” 

Well then, no. You have ever been only a source of 
delight to your teachers and preceptors, and have ever proved 
yourself a kind-hearted, friendly, and condescending young 
Prince. You have (forgive me for saying so) been indeed the 
model of a young, amiable, good, and intellectual Prince. 
You have completed your studies at the universities of Arn- 
heim and Leyden to the highest satisfaction of your professors. 
You have distinguished yourself at the colleges by diligence 
and attention, and perfected yourself in the languages and 
mastered all the sciences. Since you have been here at The 
Hague you have won for yourself the love and admiration of 
all those who have had the good fortune to come into your pres- 
ence 

Leuchtmar,” interrupted the Prince, with difficulty sup- 


THE WARNING. 


121 


pressing a smile — Lenchtmar, now you are falling into the 
opposite error ; before you blamed me too much, now you 
praise me too much! ” 

“ Prince, I spoke before as now, only according to my in- 
most convictions, and you permit me still to utter these, do 
you not? ” 

Well,” said Frederick William, hesitating, “ the thing is 
— if your convictions are too flattering or too injurious, you 
might moderate them a little. For example, the way you acted 
in my sleeping room, a little while ago, was injurious. Just 
acknowledge it — say that you went a little too far, that it 
was not becoming in you to And fault with me, because I sat 
up a few hours too late, and all is made up.” 

Prince,” replied Lenchtmar, after a slight pause — 
Prince, forgive me, but I can not say it, for it would be an 
untruth. For a Prince, want of punctuality is a very danger- 
ous and bad fault, and if he first becomes unreliable in his 
outer being, he will be so soon in his inner nature as well. 
But I do admit that perhaps I spoke in too ‘excited a tone of 
voice, and the reason of that was, because ” 

‘‘Well? Be pleased to finish your sentence. Because ” 

“ Because, yes, let it be spoken plainly, because I know 
what this keeping of late hours means.” 

“ And what does it mean, if I may ask ? ” 

“Prince, my dear, beloved Prince, you whom in the 
depths of my soul I call my son, Prince, forgive me if I answer. 
It means that you have fallen into bad company — company 
which it is beneath your dignity to keep, company alike preju- 
dicial to your mind and honor as to your health.” 

“ Of what company do you dare to speak so ? ” asked the 
Prince, with wrathful voice. 

“ Prince, of that company which is hypocritical and de- 
ceitful as sin, dazzling and alluring as a poisonous flower, dan- 
gerous and deadly as Scylla and Charybdis, of the company of 
the Media Hocte.” 

The Prince laughed aloud, and at the same time drew a 
deep breath, as if he felt his breast relieved of an oppressive 
burden. “Ah,” he said, “is it only this? The Media Hocte 
is indeed a society which appears to all those who do not 


122 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


belong to it as a monster, a dragon, which slays with its fiery 
breath those who approach it, and daily requires for its break- 
fast a youth or a maiden. But I tell you, you anxious and 
short-sighted fools, you take an eagle for a flying dragon, and 
scream fire merely because you see a bright light! The Media 
Nocte is no monster, no Scylla and Charybdis, and we need not 
on her account have our arms bound, as cunning Ulysses did, 
which, by the way, always seemed to me very weak and woman- 
ly. A man must go to meet danger with a bold eye, with valiant 
spirit ; he must confront it with his freedom of will and 
strength, and not seek to defend himself from it by outward 
means of resistance. Supposing that the Media Nocte were 
the dangerous society which you erroneously imagine it to 
be, need this be a ground for me to intrench myself timid- 
ly against it and flee its touch? No; just for that very reason 
would I seek it out — advance to meet it with the determina- 
tion to do battle with it. But I tell you that you are mistaken 
in your premises ! The Media Nocte is a society devoted to 
noble pleasures, to pure joys, to the highest, most intellectual 
enjoyments. All the arts, all the sciences, are fostered by it. 
All that is great and good, exalted and beautiful, is hailed there 
with delight, and only pedantry and stupidity are held aloof. 
Truth and nature are the two sacred laws observed in this 
society, and the noble, pure, free, and chaste Grecian spirit 
is the great exemplar of all its members. Therefore they all 
appear in Greek robes, and all their banquets are solemnized 
in the Greek style. And this it is which you wise, pedantic 
people stigmatize as blameworthy and abominable. The un- 
usual fills you with horror, and the genial you call bold be- 
cause it soars above what is commonplace! ” 

“Well do I know that your highness looks upon the so- 
ciety in this way,” replied Leuchtmar, regarding with lov- 
ing glances the handsome, excited countenance of the Prince. 
“ Yes, I know that this is the only view you have had of the 
society of the Media Nocte, and that you would turn from it 
with horror and disgust if you were conscious of the license 
lurking behind its apparent geniality, the coarseness behind 
the unusual. But I beseech you, Prince, be not blind with 
your eyes open, close not voluntarily the avenues to light. 


THE WARNING. 


123 


I swear to you as an honest and a truthful man, that this 
society is like a plague spot for the noble youth of The Hague. 
Each one who touches it becomes impregnated with its poison, 
and sickens in spirit and imagination, and the fearful poison 
flows into his mind and heart, driving out from them forever 
truth and freshness, youth and innocence ! Had I a son 
who belonged to this society with full understanding and 
appreciation of its meaning, I should mourn and lament him 
as one lost; had I a daughter, and had she even once volun- 
tarily attended a meeting of the Media Nocte and participated 
in its pleasures, then should I thrust her from me with aver- 
sion and disgust — should no longer recognize her as my daugh- 
ter, but forever expel her from my house in shame and dis- 
gust, for ” 

Desist ! ” cried the Prince, with thundering voice, 
springing toward Leuchtmar and grasping his shoulders 
wdth both hands. Glaring flercely upon him, he repeated, 
‘‘Desist, I tell you, Leuchtmar, desist, and recall what you 
have just said, for it is a libel, a slander ! ” 

“ No, it is the truth. Prince ! ” cried Leuchtmar, emphat- 
ically. “ The Media Nocte is a society of the honorless and 
shameless, and the woman who belongs to it is no longer 
pure ! ” 

“No further, man, or I shall kill you ! ” said the Prince, 
in a high-pitched voice stifled by rage, while his arms clutched 
Leuchtmar’s shoulders yet more firmly. “ Only hear this: 
You know and have longed guessed that I love the Princess 
Ludovieka Hollandine. Well, now, the Princess Ludovicka 
Hollandine belongs to the society of the Media Nocte! ” 

“ I knew that. Prince,” said Leuchtmar solemnly. 

The Prince gave a scream of rage^ and a deadly pallor 
overspread his cheeks. He still retained his grasp upon 
Leuchtmar’s shoulders, his flashing eyes penetrated like 
dagger points Leuchtmar’s countenance, and on his brow 
stood great drops of sweat, which gave witness of his inward 
tortures. 

“ You knew that,” he said, with gasping breath and gnash- 
ing teeth — “ you knew that, and yet you dare to speak so, dare 
to vilify the maiden whom I love, dare to asperse a pure 
9 


124 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


angel, to call her an outcast ! Take back your words, man, 
if your life is dear to you — recall them, if you would leave this 
room alive ! ” 

Kill me. Prince, for I do not recall them ! ” cried Leucht- 
mar, tranquilly meeting the flaming glances of the Prince. 

No, I do not recall them, and if you take away my life, I shall 
give it up in your service and for your profit. You see very 
well I attempt no defense, although I am a strong man, who 
knows well how to defend his life. But for my own convic- 
tions and for you I die gladly. Kill me then ! ” 

You do not recall them? ’’ shrieked the Prince. You 
maintain all to be truth that you have said of the order of the 
Media Kocte? You knew already before I told you that the 
Princess Ludovicka Hollandine belongs to it? ” 

“ I knew it. Prince, indeed, I knew it ! ’’ 

The Prince burst into a wild laugh, and with a sudden jerk 
thrust Leuchtmar so violently from him that he reeled back- 
ward against the wall. 

“ Ko,” he said grimly and wrathfully — no, I will not do 
you the pleasure to kill you, for that would turn a wretched 
farce into a tragedy, and make a hero of a comedian ! You 
are a good comedian, and you have played your part well ! 
I can testify to that. Go and claim credit for this with my 
father and Count Schwarzenherg ! ” 

I do not understand you. Prince. What does this 
mean ? 

It means, Mr. Comedian, it means, that already this 
morning, while you supposed I was sleeping, I have had an 
interview with Gabriel Nietzel, my mother’s court painter. 
Ah ! now start hack and he amazed. Yes, Gabriel Metzel 
sat by my bed for more than an hour, and brought me a verbal 
message from my mother. She had also intrusted him with 
a letter for me, hut on his journey here he has been robbed 
and the letter taken from him. Oh, I imagine the robbers 
took much more interest in the letters than in the effects of 
the painter, and Count Schwarzenherg and yourself both well 
know their contents. But happily my mother gave good 
Gabriel Metzel a message to bring by word of mouth as well, 
which they could not steal from him, Baron von Leuchtmar. 


THE WARNING. 


125 


Can you understand now why I call you a comedian, who has 
studied his part well ? ” 

No, Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, I can not yet.” 

“ Well, sir, then I shall tell you. Your virtuous indigna- 
tion against the Media Nocte, your shameful allegations 
against a Princess, whom I love, your injurious accusations 
and slanders — all that was nothing more than a well-studied 
role prepared for you by my father and his minister. Oh, 
answer me not, do not deny it. I know what I say. Yes, I 
know that the Emperor of Germany deigns to interest him- 
self in the marriage of the little Electoral Prince of Branden- 
burg. I know that his condescension goes so far as to desire 
to bless me with the hand of an Austrian archduchess. I know 
that on this account he has given strict orders and injunctions 
to his devoted servant, who is my father’s all-powerful minis- 
ter, that I shall be summoned away from The Hague ; not, 
indeed, to reside at my father’s court, but to proceed to the 
imperial court. But, God he thanked, the walls of the palace 
of Berlin are not o’er thick, and my mother has quick ears 
and Gabriel Nietzel is a trusty messenger. Yes, sir, I know you 
and your plans. I know, too, that the Emperor dreads my 
union with the Princess Ludovicka ; that he has had my father 
notified that he will never sanction such a union, and that 
therefore my father and his Catholic minister have dispatched 
hither messengers and envoys, with strict orders never to suffer 
a matrimonial alliance with the Princess Ludovicka Holland- 
ine, but to do everything to prevent it. Everything to prevent 
it ! Do you understand me, sir ? To calumniate also, and 
accuse and defame. But all together you shall not succeed. 
I shall prove to the Emperor, the Elector and his minister 
that I do not fear their wrath, and that the Electoral Prince 
of Brandenburg will never, never he the vassal and servant of 
the German Emperor ; that he feels himself to he an inde- 
pendent man, who claims for himself freedom of will and 
action, and who will only wed in obedience to the dictates of 
his own heart and his own will. But you, Leuchtmar, I 
herewith bid you farewell ! We part to-day, and forever. That 
we so part, believe me, is to me a lifelong pain, for never can 
I forget what I owe you, and how faithful you have otherwise 


126 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


been to me. Leuchtmar, it is dreadful that you have turned 
against me. Go, we have parted! Go! And when you get 
home to Berlin, then say to my father’s Austrian minister, 
that I shall never forgive him for what he has this day done 
to me, and that the Elector Frederick William will avenge 
the Electoral Prince. Tell him that I shall never accept 
an Austrian archduchess, a Catholic, as my wife — ^never be- 
come the humble slave of the Emperor of Germany. This 
is my farewell ! ” 

And with flaming countenance and eyes flashing with 
energy and passion, the Prince crossed the apartment, vio- 
lently pulled open the door, and strode out. Leuchtmar 
looked after him with a mixture of tenderness and grief. 
“ How angry he was, and yet how glorious to look upon! ” 
he said softly to himself. “ A young hero, who one day will 
perform his vow. He will not bow down as the vassal of the 
German Emperor ! ” 

A side door was just now easily and cautiously opened, 
and an older man of venerable aspect, in simple court garb, 
timidly entered, looking carefully around, as if he dreaded 
finding some one else in the apartment. 

Baron, for heaven’s sake, what has happened here?” 
he asked anxiously. The Electoral Prince has been talk- 
ing so loudly and so angrily that they heard him all through 
the house, and now he has stormed out and shouted to have 
his horse saddled. Almighty God ! what has happened ? ” 

Baron Leuchtmar laid his hand upon his friend’s arm, 
and nodded kindly to him. My dear Muller,” he said, 
with a faint smile, “ nothing more has happened than' that 
the Electoral Prince has just dismissed me in anger, and sent 
me home to Berlin.” 

For pity’s sake, what is that you say? ” asked the private 
secretary, clasping his trembling hands together in painful 
astonishment. “ He has been so ungrateful as to thrust from 
him his best and truest friend ? ” 

I tell you yes, my dear Muller, he has done so, and in 
wrath. You know well that hastiness of temper is an heir- 
loom of the Brandenburg princes, and Frederick William 
can not deny that he has the family failing. Yes, he has dis- 


THE WARNING. 


127 


missed me ; but then, you know, it was perfectly natural, 
for he loves the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, and I ven- 
tured to criticise her.” 

“It is actually true, then, that he loves her? He has 
allowed himself to he enticed by the siren ! Ah ! she is the 
genuine grandchild of Mary Stuart, and knows how to charm.” 

“ Hush, Muller, hush ! If the Electoral Prince hears 
that, he will send you to the devil too ! ” 

“ He may do so,” cried the old gentleman indignantly. 
“ If he drives you away, his tutor and his best friend, then 
I shall reckon it an honor to be sent away likewise.” 

“W^ell, well my friend, be not so desperate. We know 
our dear Electoral Prince. He is a lion when angry, a child 
when his anger is appeased. Let us wait ; to-day I shall con- 
ceal myself from him, and to-morrow, well, to-morrow he will 
call for me himself. But did you not say that he had given 
orders for his horse to be saddled? ” 

“ Yes, indeed, I heard it myself how he commanded them 
in angry voice to saddle Maurus for him— ^the wild hunter, 
you know.” 

“ Where can he be going so early in the morning ? ” 
asked Leuchtmar thoughtfully. “ He is so much excited, 
and love of the Princess will lead him to some rash, ill-advised 
step ; for you are right, friend, she is a siren ! But hark ! 
Is not that the voice of the Electoral Prince ? ” 

“ Yes, it is indeed. He is below in the court ! ” 

The two men hastened through the apartment to one of 
the windows, and, hiding themselves behind the curtains, 
looked cautiously down into the court. The Electoral Prince 
had just swung himself into the saddle. The horse gave a 
loud neigh, as if recognizing its master, then reared, but the 
Prince sat firm. His short, furred mantle was lifted high by 
the wind, the long white ostrich plumes nodded above his 
broad-brimmed, gold-laced hat, beneath which floated like 
a lion’s mane his brown and curly hair. With Arm, energetic 
hand the youth compelled the animal to stand, then pressed 
his knees into its flanks, and swift as an arrow from the bow 
the animal flew out of the court gate. Both gentlemen stepped 
back from the window. 


128 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


‘‘ He is a splendid young man/’ sighed the private secretary 
Muller, shaking his head. 

“ Yes/’ echoed Leuchtmar, smiling, I find it very compre- 
hensible that the Princess Ludovicka should gladly have him 
as consort. But we must not submit to it, but do everything 
to prevent it, for it is contrary to policy and reasons of state. 
And I think, too, such an union would not he for the Prince’s 

welfare, for the Princess But hush ! the Electoral 

Prince has forbidden me to speak evil of her, and we are here 
in his room. Let us keep silence with regard to her.” 

But where can he he rushing to now — the Electoral 
Prince, I mean ? ” 

‘‘ I fear that I can guess. To her, to the Princess, and to 
apologize to her with his looks for the injury which my words 
have done her. He is just an enthusiastic youth, and it is his 
first love ! Believe me, he is hurrying to her ! ” 


IV. — An Idyl. 

Yes, Leuchtmar was quite right. He was away to her — 
to Ludovicka. To her he was irresistibly drawn by vehement 
desire. Yes, she was his first love, and the magic of this deli- 
cious sensation held his whole being enthralled, and now drove 
him onward as on the wings of the hurricane. He thought of 
nothing and knew nothing hut that he must see her, must 
prove to her how passionately he loved her, how fervently and 
devoutly he believed in her. The horse dashed on furiously, 
breathlessly, and yet it seemed to the Electoral Prince as if 
an eternity had elapsed ere he finally reached Castle Doom- 
ward. He breathed a glad sigh of relief, threw the reins to 
the promptly advancing servants, and vaulted from the horse. 
His beaming eyes were uplifted to his beloved’s window, and 
he saluted her with his thoughts and his smile. He thought 
she must feel it, and his looks and thoughts must bring her 
to the window. He stopped and looked up — ^but Ludovicka 
did not appear at the window ; only an orange-colored ribbon 


AN IDYL. 


129 


was fluttering there in the sunshine and the wind, and Fred- 
erick William smiled joyfully, for he took it as a token of good 
fortune. Then he entered the castle, reverentially greeted 
by the lackeys, who ventured not to oppose him, as with 
rapid bounds, like a young deer, he sprang up the steps. 
Straight to the apartments of the Princess Ludovicka he strode, 
through the antechamber into the drawing room. But she 
was not there ; she came not to meet him in her enchanting 
beauty, with that affectionate smile upon her crimson lips. 
No, Ludovicka was not there, and the chambermaid who 
officiously hurried from the adjoining room informed the 
Prince that her most gracious young lady had already been 
gone an hour on a visit to The Hague, whence she would not 
return till the next morning. But the sharp, cunning eyes of 
the Abigail, had meanwhile peered through the door, which 
the Prince had left open, out into the antechamber, and, 
flnding that no one was there, the Prince having come quite 
alone, she approached nearer to him. 

Most gracious sir,” she whispered, “ I* was, however, to 
have gone into town and handed something for the Electoral 
Prince to his valet, to whom I am engaged.” 

“ Now it will he more convenient for you, Alice,” said the 
Electoral Prince cheerfully. You need no third party. I 
am here myself. Give to me personally what you w'ould have 
given to my valet, your respected betrothed, for me.” 

“ Here it is,” whispered Alice, drawing from the pocket 
attached to her girdle by a silver chain a little note, which, 
with a graceful bow, she handed to the Prince. 

And here is your reward,” he said, taking a gold piece 
from his purse and handing it to her. She took it, blushing 
with confusion, and bowed down to the earth. 

''If it pleases your grace to read here,” whispered she, 
" I will guard the door.” 

He shook his head and rushed out. No, not in that narrow, 
close room, not in the neighborhood of that tiresome chamber- 
maid could he read the letter of his beloved — that letter 
which he believed, nay, knew, contained the last decision for 
sealing his whole future fate. In the open air, under God’s 
blue sky, in the warm and radiant autumn sun, would he 


130 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


receive the message of his beloved, would he take to his heart 
what the angel of his life had to communicate to him. As 
rapidly as he had stormed up he again sprang down the steps, 
and through the well-known rooms and corridors took the 
way leading to the park. He was well acquainted with it, 
for he had often taken it at the side of his aunt, the unfortu- 
nate Bohemian Queen and Electress, who had found a refuge 
here in Holland at the court of her uncle, the Stadtholder 
Frederick Henry of Orange, and had her little residence at 
Castle Doornward. He had often walked it with the prin- 
cesses, her daughters, and very bright and pleasant hours had 
he passed in that beautiful park with Princess Ludovicka. 

On one of those squares, in one of those shady thickets 
where he had so often sat with her and her sisters, he would 
now read her message. With hasty step, with glowing cheeks 
fired by enthusiasm, with head aloft, he strode on, and now 
entered the woods near the path. They were curtained by 
festoons of wild grapevine; no one could see how he now took 
out the little note which he had so long concealed in his hand, 
how he pressed it to his lips, to his eyes, how he then unfolded 
it, and again, before reading it, pressed the beloved characters 
to his lips. The letter contained nothing but the words : 

The friends are ready and willing. To-night about one 
o’clock in the Media Hocte. From there flight. A worthy 
asylum is waiting, and the priest stands before the altar to 
bless the couple.” 

^ “ To-night she will be mine — to-night we shall be married ! 
To-night we shall make our escape ! ” 

He could think of nothing but this. His heart continually 
repeated it with loud jubilation, his lips murmured it softly 
in response, while, knowing nothing, seeing nothing of the 
outside world, he sped along through the alleys and over the 
squares of the garden. He knew not whither he went, he 
had no aim ; he only knew that to-night he was to be indis- 
solubly united with his beloved — that he would flee with her. 
Once he must pause, for the loudly beating heart denied him 
breath, and once, in the blissful rapture of his soul, he must 
give a loud shout of joy, otherwise his breast would have 
burst. A merry, musical laugh rang forth near to him, and 


AN IDYL. 


131 


as he turned to the side whence the sound had proceeded a 
lovely and pleasing picture met his astonished gaze. . In the 
midst of the grassplot near which he was stood a great white 
cow, one of those splendid creatures that are only seen on 
Dutch pastures. A fine-looldng maid, dressed in the national 
costume of the Dutch peasantry, with the gold-edged cap 
over the full, luxuriant hair that fell in long braids down her 
back, sat on a stool beside the cow, and was busied in milking. 
In melodious, regular cadence the steaming milk flowed over 
her rosy hands down into the white porcelain bucket which she 
held between her knees. At her side stood a little girl, in 
almost the identical costume, only that the wide plaited skirt 
was of black silk, the bodice of purple velvet trimmed with 
gold buttons and loops, and the white apron of finest linen 
edged with point lace. Below the short silk skirt, trimmed 
with purple velvet, peeped forth blue silk stockings with red 
tops ; shoes with high red heels, ornamented with gold 
buckles, covered the neat little feet. It was altogether quite 
the costume of a Dutch peasant girl, only th& cap was granting 
on the head, and in its stead the hair, which fell in long fair 
ringlets over the child’s shoulders, was adorned by a thick 
wreath of the tendrils of the wild grape, into which, in front 
just over the brow, were woven two beautiful purple asters. 
She had been busied, it appeared from the quantity of leaves 
and flowers she carried in her apron, in weaving wreaths, hut 
now let the contents of her apron fall to the ground, and only 
kept the green wreath already finished, which hung upon her 
arm, while she sprang laughing over the grassplot. 

Cousin Frederick William,” she asked merrily, where 
do you come from, and why do you scream so fearfully ? ” 

^^Have I frightened you. Cousin Louisa Henrietta?” 
he asked, extending both hands to her in greeting. 

“ INot me, cousin, hut Ilulda,” she returned, holding out 
her little hands. “ You must know, cousin, Hulda is very 
scary, and it comes from her being sad.” 

Who is Hulda ? The smart dairymaid there ? ” 

Hey, God forbid, cousin ! How can you think that that 
dairymaid could he scared? Ho, Hulda is my pretty white 
cow, and she is sad because she has lost her little calf. I am 


132 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


not to blame for it, and I told my poor Hulda that, too, and 
as she lowed so piteously I wept with her heartily and com- 
forted her.” 

“ But why did you let them take away her little calf ? 
Why did you suffer it? Is it not your own cow? ” 

Understand, it is my own cow,” replied the little girl, 
seriously. My good aunt, the Electress, has made me a 
present of it, that I may have some pleasure when I come here 
to Doornward, and it makes me feel as if I were at home. For 
you must know, cousin, that I have a regular dairy at The 
Hague.” 

No, cousin, I did not know it,” said the Electoral Prince, 
while he looked kindly into the lovely, rosy countenance of the 
little Princess Louisa Henrietta of Orange. 

You do not know that ? ” she cried, clapping her little 
hands together in astonishment. Yes, I have a dairy — 
three cows, who belong to myself alone, and for which papa 
has had built a stable of their own, which is very grand and 
splendid. And next to the stable is a room for the milk and 
butter. 0 cousin! I tell you, it is splendid! The next time 
you come to us at The Hague, send for me, and I will show you 
my cows in their stable, and if you are right good, you shall 
have a glass of milk from my favorite cow.” 

Many thanks ! ” cried the Electoral Prince, laughing. 

But I am no friend of warm milk, and understand nothing 
whatever of farming.” 

“ Well, why should you ? ” said the Princess gravely. 

You are a man, and men have something else to do ; they 
must go to war and govern countries. But women must under- 
stand management and know how to keep house.” 

“ So ? Must they that ? ” laughed the Prince. Common 
women, indeed, but you, Louisa, you are a Princess.” 

But a Princess of Holland, cousin, and my mother has 
told me that the Princesses of Holland must seek their greatest 
renown in becoming wise and prudent housewives, and under- 
standing farming thoroughly, in order that all the rest of the 
women of Holland may learn from them. My mother says 
that a Prince of Holland should be the first servant of the 
Sovereign States, but a Princess of Holland should be the first 


AN IDYL. 


133 


housekeeper of the Dutch people, and the more skillful she is 
the more will the people love her. And therefore I shall try 
to be right skillful, for I shall be so glad if our good people 
would love me a little.” 

“Would you, indeed?” asked the Electoral Prince, 
quite moved by the lovely countenance and the heartfelt tone 
of the little girl. “ W ould you be glad if the people loved you a 
little? Well, I promise you. Cousin Louisa Henrietta, they will 
love you, and whoever shall look into your good, truthful eyes 
will feel himself fortunate and glad, just as I do now. Keep 
your beautiful eyes, Louisa, and your innocence and harmless- 
ness, and be a good housewife, then your people will love you 
very much. But tell me, cousin, for whom is that wreath 
which is hanging on your arm ? ” 

“ For my beautiful cow; but if you will have it I will give 
it to you, and — ^no,” she broke off, abashed and reddening, 
“ no, forgive me, dear Cousin Frederick WiUiam; I shall not 
give you a wreath which I destined only for an animal. I 
shall fix it so,” she cried, with a lovely smile, I shall take this 
wreath to my Hulda, and to you, cousin, I shall give my own 
wreath.” 

She hastily tore the wreath from her own locks, and rais- 
ing herself on tiptoe tried with uplifted arm to place it on 
the Prince’s head, but he stayed her hand. 

“Xo, cousin,” he said; “that must be done properly. 
You are a lady, a Princess, and if you crown a knight, then 
let him bow the knee before you.” 

And he bent his knee before her, and looked up at her 
smilingly and joyously. “ Crown me. Cousin Louisa Henri- 
etta,” he said, with ceremonial pathos — “ crown me and give 
me a device.” 

The little maiden held the crown thoughtfully in her hand, 
her large blue eyes fixed upon the smiling countenance before 
her with an earnest, meditative expression. 

“Well,” he said, “why do you not give me the wreath? 
And what are you thinking of? ” 

“ Of a motto, cousin,” she replied seriously; “ for you told 
me I must give you a device. But I am only a silly little girl, 
and you must bear with me. Mother said yesterday to me that 


134 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


the best motto she could give for everyday use is this, ^ Be a 
good woman.^ Now I think, if it were rightly changed and 
turned, it would suit you.” 

And with charming determination she pressed the wreath 
upon the Prince’s dark locks, and then laid both her hands 
upon his head. 

“ Be a good man,” she said, yes. Electoral Prince Fred- 
erick William, he a good man.” 

The smile had suddenly vanished from the Prince’s coun- 
tenance, and given place to a deep earnestness. ‘‘ Yes,” he 
said solemnly, I promise you I shall he a good man.” And 
just as he said this the cow bellowed aloud, and Princess Louisa 
turned her looks upon her and nodded pleasantly. 

Look you, cousin,” she said, ‘‘ Hulda, too, gives you her 
blessing, and do not laugh at it, for God speaks in all that live; 
the flowers and beasts emanate from him as well as men. And 
if man does not do his duty, and is not good and diligent, then 
God does not love him, and the flower which blooms and the 
cow that gives milk are dearer to him, for they do their duty. 
But see, the milkmaid is ready, and now. Cousin Frederick 
William, now I must go to the milkroom and measure the 
milk into the pans, and I will tell you, hut nobody else shall 
know, I secretly take a quart cup full of milk, and take it to 
the calves’ stable to the calf, from my Hulda. It ought not, 
indeed, to drink milk any longer, hut he an independent crea- 
ture, eating hay and chewing the cud, but it will just feel that 
the milk comes from its own mother, and be glad. Farewell, 
Cousin Frederick William, I must he gone.” 

She was about to slip away, hut the Electoral Prince held 
her fast. No,” he said, not so cursory shall he our leave- 
taking, my darling little heavenly flower. Who knows when 
we shall meet again? ” 

You are not going away yet, cousin? ” she asked, strok- 
ing his cheeks with both her little hands. Ah! they told 
me that your father would by no means allow you to remain 
here any longer, and I was so sorry that it made me cry.” 

Why did it make you sorry. Cousin Louisa? ” asked the 
Electoral Prince, drawing the little maiden to himself. 

She leaned her little head upon his shoulder. I do not 


AN IDYL. 


135 


know,” she said, looking at him with her great blue eyes. I 
believe I love you so much because you are always so good 
and friendly to me, and have often talked and played with me, 
and not laughed at me when I told you about my animals. I 
thank you for it, my dear, good cousin, and I shall love you 
as long as I live.” 

“ And I, my dear, good cousin, I thank you for the motto 
which you have given me, and I shall think of it and of you 
as long as I live. Yes, my dear child, I will be a good man, 
and do you know, little Louisa,” he continued, smiling, 
whenever I am in trouble and danger, I shall think of you 
and pray, ‘ God and all ye innocent angels on high, have pity 
on the innocent and good! Amen! ^ ” 

He pressed a fervent kiss on the child’s forehead, nodded 
smilingly to her, took the wreath from his head to conceal it 
in his bosom, and then strode away with light, quick steps. 
The child looked thoughtfully after him with her large blue 
starry eyes, as if lost in thought, until the slender, athletic 
form of the young man had vanished behind.the trees. How 
does he know my prayer? ” she whispered softly, “ and why 
did he smile as he repeated it? Ah! surely Cousin Ludovicka 
has told him what a timid little coward I was last night. But 
hark! Hulda is lowing. Yes, yes, I am coming now! ” 

And the little girl flew across the grassplot, and flung both . 
her arms around the animal’s neck, and stroked and coaxed 
it, calling it pet names, and telling it of its beautiful calf, to 
which she would forthwith carry some milk. And the cow 
lowed no more, but looked with its big intelligent eyes into 
the child’s face. 


Y. — Media Nocte. 

^^The gods have come down from Olympus! The gods 
greet the earth! They greet beauty! They greet youth! They 
greet wisdom and the arts! The gods greet the earth! Long 
live the gods! Live Venus, the mother of love! Long live Mi- 
nerva, the unapproachable virgin, full of wisdom! Long live 


136 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


1 


Zeus, the god of gods, men transformed into gods, and gods into 
men! Olympus live on earth! 

So sang they and rejoiced in triumphant chorus, and high 
above from the clouds pealed forth music, and from thicket 
and shrubbery sounded sweet songs, dying away in gentle 
whispers. Then all was still, for the gods, who had traversed 
the halls in dazzling procession, had now taken their places 
at the long rose-crowned tables. An Olympic festival was 
being solemnized that evening in the Media N'octe. Earth 
was forsaken now, and the children of earth found themselves 
again on Olympus, changed to gods. Those were not the 
drawing rooms in which they had been wont to 'assemble, 
commingling in cheerful pastimes, in hilarious merriment, 
these people clad in light Greek robes. No, this was cloud- 
capped Olympus, this was heaven upon earth; rose-colored, 
luminous clouds encircled the space, and behind them the 
galleries which ran round the hall had vanished. Instead of 
the ceiling usually bounding this vast room, they now looked 
up to the deep blue sky, and star after star twinkled there, 
and filled the apartment with soft mild light. And not in a 
hall furnished with chairs and divans did they find them- 
selves this evening, but in a monstrous grotto in the heart of 
Olympus — a grotto of sparkling, glittering mountain crystal, 

• bright and transparent as silver gauze, and behind this a 
magical moving to and fro of beauteous human shapes, of 
genii and Cupids. Only the long table in the middle of the 
grotto reminded of earth, or maybe the home of heathen gods. 
For, like the children of earth, the gods on Olympus used to 
carouse and drink, and, like the children of men, did they 
enjoy fullness of food and luscious wine. Golden goblets, 
wreathed with roses, stood before the silver plates loaded with 
fruits and tempting viands. In crystal fiasks sparkled the 
golden wine, in silver vases the gay-colored flowers exhaled 
their sweets. Luxurious cushions, soft as swan’s down, span- 
gled and silvery as were the clouds which stooped from heaven, 
lined both sides of the long table, and on them the gods and 
goddesses had just sank in blissful silence, gazing on the glori- 
ous place, and rejoicing that men are gods and gods are men! 
There, on high, sits Zeus on golden throne, and Ganymede, 


1 


MEDIA NOCTE. 


13Y 


the beautiful boy, stands near and hands him on golden dishes 
the fragrant ambrosia, and Hebe, the lovely, childlike maid, 
hovers about, and presents in crystal cups the gleaming purple 
wine, glistening like gold. Juno, the radiant queen of heaven, 
sits beside Zeus; and as if woven of silvery clouds and stars 
seems the garment that lightly and loosely envelops hut does 
not hide the wondrous shape. A light cloud of silver gauze 
covers her countenance, as that of all the other goddesses. 

But now, as all rest in silence, these gods and goddesses, 
now rises Zeus from his golden throne and hows to both sides, 
greeting. 

“ At the table of the gods must he enthroned Truth, the 
purest, most chaste of all the goddesses, and at her side the 
wisest, most puissant Genius, the Genius of Silence! ” calls 
out Zeus, with far-resounding voice. ‘‘ Do you admit that, 
ye gods and goddesses? ” 

We admit it! ” call out all in exulting chorus. 

You gods, swear by all that is sacred to you in heaven 
and upon earth that you will present this evening as a thank 
offering in sacrifice to the Genius of Silence! That never will 
pass your lips what your eyes see, never will your eyes betray 
the memory that shall dwell within your hearts! ” 

We swear it by all that is sacred in heaven and upon 
earth! ” cry the gods. 

Ye goddesses all, ye have heard! cries Zeus, the en- 
throned. Now do homage to Truth, as she to the Genius 
of Silence! Away with falsehood and deceit! Away with your 
masks! ” 

And the plump, wanton arms of the goddesses are raised, 
and the rosy-fingered hands tear the silvery veils from their 
heads and cast them triumphantly behind them, and trium- 
phantly the gods greet the beaming countenances of the god- 
desses, their sparkling eyes and rosy lips, the haunts of sweet, 
seductive smiles. 

Long live the gods and goddesses of Olympus! No earth- 
ly memories cleave to them; if perchance they have borne 
earthly names, who knows it, who remembers it ? The present 
only belongs to the gods — this hour is one of precious joy.” 

Only those two sitting there at the table of the gods, arm 


138 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


linked in arm, only they remember, for not alone the present 
but the future, too, belongs to them. The gods and goddesses 
call the two Venus and Endymion, hut they, in tender whis- 
pers, call each other Ludovicka and Frederick. No one dis- 
turbs himself about them, no one notices the happy pair, and 
they observe and regard no one, for they are thinking only of 
themselves. 

Oh, my beloved,” whispers the Prince, how stale and 
insipid seems this fantastic feast to me to-night! Once it 
would have charmed me, and would have been to me as em- 
bodied poesy. But to-night it leaves me cold and empty, and 
I feel that the true and real contain in themselves the highest 
poetry.” 

You are indeed right, my. Endymion,” says she softly — 
“you are indeed right: love is the highest poetry, and he 
who possesses the true and real needs not the fantastic sem- 
blance. Still, this is a feast of gods; therefore let us enjoy 
it with glad hearts and swelling joy. For is it not our wed- 
ding feast, and are not all these gods and goddesses unwit- 
tingly solemnizing the hymeneal of our love? Rejoice then, 
my darling, rejoice and sing with the convivial, open your 
heart to the ravishing hour, drink into thy soul the delight 
and rapture of the gods! ” 

A shadow stole over Endymion’s high, clear brow, and he 
gently shook his head. “ I love you so deeply and truly that 
I can not be merry in this hour,” he said thoughtfully; “ and 
this wild tumult and this uproarious joy seem not to me like 
a glorification of our love, but rather its profanation. Ah! 
my dear love, would that I were alone with you in the open air, 
beneath the broad high arch of heaven, instead of here be- 
neath this artificial one; would that we sat hand in hand in 
one of those quiet shady spots in your park, where I could pour 
into your ear the holy secrets of my heart and tell you sweet 
stories of our love, and you should listen to me with tranquil, 
reverent heart, and you and I would solemnize together a 
glorious feast divine, more glorious than this mad joy can 
furnish us! He who is happy flees noisy pleasures, and he 
who loves ardently and truthfully longs for quiet and soli- 
tude, to meditate upon his love.” 


MEDIA NOCTE. 


139 


We shall be solitary and alone, my Frederick, when we 
belong to one another — when nothing more can separate us, 
when we shall no more have to meet under the veil of secrecy, 
no more have to conceal the fair, divine reality under bor- 
rowed tinsel! You know, love, to-night we flee/^ 

God be praised! to-night will make you forever mine, 
and nothing then can separate us hut death alone! ” 

“ Speak not of death while life encircles us with all its 
charms! Be cheerful, my beloved — be happy, my Endymion. 
We celebrate the godly feast of love, and yet is it only the 
foretaste of our bliss. Yield yourself to the delights of the 
moment, drink from the golden goblet of joy, my Endymion! 

“ Yes, I will drink, drink, for Venus drinks with me.” 

She hands you, Endymion, the flower-crowned goblet! 
Drink! drink! drink!. Enjoy the moment! Taste the pleas- 
ures of this hour! But think of the coming hour which is to 
consummate our bliss! ” 

“When will it be, beloved? And where shall I meet 
you?” 

“ When all is hustle and stir and singing, then let my En- 
dymion descend from 01)rmpus and repair to the grotto of 
rocks close by. To the left of the entrance he will And a cav- 
ern. Let him go in and there And his white garments; put 
them on and wait. All the rest follows of itself.” 

“ And you, my heart — will you, too, follow of yourself? ” 
“ Follow of myself and fetch Endymion! ” 

Music sent forth sweet strains, and from the rosy clouds 
the chorus of Cupids greeted the gods with songs of rejoicing. 
After the singing the Muses entered, winding round the table, 
quoting far-famed songs and praising the arts, which they 
protected. And suddenly the starry sky above became ob- 
scure, and twilight reigned. Only behind the crystalline walls 
it shone bright and ever brighter, and in sunshine splendor 
emerged the antique marble statues of the gods, and walked 
and moved, endowed with flesh and growing life. Music re- 
sounded and bands of Cupids sang; again the hall was lighted 
up, the tables at which the gods had reclined vanished, gen- 
iuses hovered about, strewing the ground with fragrant flow- 
ers, and in glad confusion mingled gods and goddesses, heroes 
10 


140 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


and demigods, with sparkling eyes and beating hearts. They 
poetized and sang, praised the gods, and laughed and shouted, 
‘^Long live the Media Nocte! Long live those great minds 
and noble hearts which belong to it! And all was bustle, 
stir, and song! 

Endymion forsook Olympus, entered the nearest grotto 
amid the rocks, and slipped into the little cavern to the left. 
Venus was still in the hall. To her came Hercules and softly 
whispered, “ All is ready! 

“But where? Tell me, where? It seems to me like a 
dream! You see how I trust you, for without question have I 
done everything just as the paper directed. Here I am, in the 
Media Nocte, and know not at all what remains to he done! ’’ 

“ The marriage ceremony and flight, fair Venus! Listen, 
however, to this one thing! In close proximity to this house, 
as you well know, stands the hotel of the French embassy. 
Well, gracious lady, walls can he leveled, and my enchanter 
Ducato can turn them into doors! Repair to the grotto hall 
and the cavern on the right. There will Venus he transformed 
into the Princess Ludovicka, and still be Venus! Then cross 
over to the cavern on the left, where, instead of Endymion, 
waits the Electoral Prince. She gives him her hand! My 
enchanter Ducato sees it, and all the rest takes care of itself. 
Only follow the god within your own breast! Only one thing 
more. Princess! Be Venus to him, and ravish his heart and 
soul, that he may not delay to sign the contract and inquire 
into its contents.” 

“Be not uneasy,” smiles Venus proudly; “he will sign 
anything to be able to call me his.” 

Louder resound the peals of music, and all the gods sing 
and laugh and jest and shout. And the Bacchantes swing 
to and fro their ivy-wreathed staves, and their mouths with 
ecstasy pour forth their stammering songs of mirth! Venus 
has soared away! But no one observes it. Each is his own 
deity, here in the Media Yocte. Oh, blessed night of the gods! 
Forget that the wretched day of man will return in the morn- 
ing! Louder resound the strains of music, and all is bustle, 
stir, and song there in Olympus! 

From the cavern on the right steps forth the Princess Ludo- 


MEDIA NOCTE. 


141 


vicka in white satin robe, a myrtle wreath twined in her hair, 
and behind her sweeps her veil like a silver cloud. Venus! 
Venus ever! full of sweet enchantment! 

She goes to the cavern on the left, and gently knocks. The 
door springs open, and she enters. It is bright within, and the 
Electoral Prince, in gold-embroidered suit, comes to meet her 
with beaming eyes, looks upon her radiant with happiness, 
and sinks down at her feet. Endymion! Endymion ever! 
Enchained by sweet magic! A door flies open; nobody has 
opened it, but there it is. The Electoral Prince jumps up 
and offers the Princess his hand. Neither of the two speaks, 
for their hearts are beating overloud. The merry music and 
uproarious shouts of the gods on Olympus penetrate to them 
even in the stillness of the cave, but through the open door 
other sounds steal near. Solemn, long-drawn organ peals are 
heard, uniting in the melody of a pious choral. How strange- 
ly blended within that narrow space those exultant songs 
and those organ tones! The young lovers hear only the 
notes of the organ, and hand in hand move toward the 
sound. 

A small pleasure boat receives them, flowers and myrtle 
trees line the banks, and inviting and alluring the organ calls 
them. Light glimmers at the end of the passage, and the 
lovers go toward it. They enter a large wide room! Solemn 
silence reigns here. At the farther end is a small altar. On 
it burn tall wax tapers, and before it, in full canonicals, stands 
the priest, prayer book in hand. At his sides are two gentle- 
men in simple, somber dress. 

Farther forward, nearer the center of the hall, is a table 
hung with, green, on which lie several papers and implements 
of writing, and near it is a notary in his official garb, again 
attended by several men. To all this Prince Frederick Wil- 
liam gives but one brief glance, then turns his eyes once more 
upon his beloved, standing at his side, radiant in beauty and 
enticingly sweet. The jubilant songs of Olympus yet ring in 
their ears, the images of the gods yet flame and flaunt before 
their eyes. 

“ How beautiful you are, beloved Ludovicka! My Elec- 
toral Princess! come, let us go to the altar! Oh, your good, 


142 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


kind friends! How I thank them! How well they have 
arranged everything! Come! You see, the priest is wait- 
ing! 

Not yet, beloved! For you see before the priest stands 
the notary, and my good friends will have us go through all 
the formalities of legal marriage. Before we are married we 
must sign the contract! ” 

The contract of love is written in our hearts alone. What 
need for the intervention of signatures on paper? And how 
can strangers know what we alone can settle with one another? 
I swear unswerving love and fidelity to my Electoral Princess, 
and that requires no written confirmation. Come to the altar, 
dearest! ’’ 

He endeavors to draw her forward, but Ludovicka flings 
her arm about his neck and holds him back. Beloved,” she 
whispers, the contract which we sign concerns not us, but 
the benevolent, mighty friends, who have lent us their aid, 
and will help us still further. Ah! without these noble friends 
our flight would have been wholly impossible, and we would 
have been separated for ever! To-morrow I would have been 
the bride of the Prince of Hesse, and your father would al- 
ready have found means to compel your return home. Ah! 
beloved, they would have separated us, if our noble friends 
had not helped us. They have prepared everything, cared 
for everything. As soon as we are married, we shall journey 
away to our safe asylum, and there, under the protection of 
friends, he sheltered and secure. For such love and devotion 
we must he grateful, must we not?” 

Certainly, that we must, and shall be gladly, beloved 
of my heart! Let them say how we can prove our gratitude, 
and certainly it shall he dene! ” 

They have said it, and written it down in the contract. 
Come, dearest, we will sign it, and then to the altar.” 

She throws her arm around his neck, she draws him to 
the table where stands the notary with his witnesses. She 
hands him the pen and looks at him with a sweet smile. 

Venus! Venus ever! 

But he? He is no longer Endymion! He is the Electoral 
Prince Frederick William! And strange! like a dr^m, like 


MEDIA NOCTE 


143 


a greeting from afar, comes stealing to his ears, Be a good 
man.” 

“ Take the pen and sign! ” whispers Venus, with glowing 
looks of love. 

He lays down the pen. I must know what I sign. Read 
it. Sir Notary! ” 

The notary hows low and reads: “ In friendship and devo- 
tion to the Electoral Prince Frederick William of Branden- 
burg and his spouse, horn Princess Ludovicka Hollandine of 
the Palatinate, we grant them an undisturbed asylum in our 
territories, promise to protect and defend them with all our 
power, to grant them, besides, maintenance and support, pay- 
ing to the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg yearly subsidies 
of three hundred thousand livres, until he assumes the reins 
of government. On his side, the Electoral Prince of Bran- 
denburg pledges himself, so soon as he begins to rule in his 
own right, to conclude a league with us for twenty years, and 
never to unite with our enemies against us, hut to he true to 
us in good as also in evil days. Both parties confirm this by 
their signatures. Count d’Entragues has signed in the name 
of France.” 

France! ” cried the Electoral Prince, wdth loudly ring- 
ing voice. ‘^France is the friend who will lend us aid?” 

“ Yes, Prince, France it is,” said Count d’Entragues, ap- 
proaching the Prince and bowing low before him. France 
through me offers to the noble Electoral Prince of Branden- 
burg protection and an asylum, pays him rich subsidies, and 
in return requires nothing but his alliance, and, above all 
things, his friendship. I am happy to offer the friendship 
and good offices of King Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu 
to the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg and his spouse, and 
to he permitted to witness the ceremony of their marriage.” 

“ Come, my beloved, sign,” whispered Ludovicka, with 
pleading voice. 

But he thrust hack the pen, and looked at the Princess 
with flaming eyes. Did you know. Princess, that it was 
France who was to assist us? ” 

Certainly I knew it,” replied she, with feigned astonish- 
ment. Count d’Entragues himself offered me the assistance 


144 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


of France, and you gave me full powers to conclude all ar- 
rangements.” 

It is true, so I did,” murmured the Prince. I thought 
3^011 had reference to a private person, to one of those rich 
mynheers whom I have met at your house. I told you so. 
Princess, and you did not contradict me. You left me under 
the impression that it was a merchant of Holland who was 
offering his help and protection. From a private citizen I 
could have accepted aid, for that pledged the man, not the 
Prince. But from France I can accept no favors, for by such 
would be pledged and bound the Prince, the future ruler of 
his land, so that he could not act freely according to his judg- 
ment and the requirements of the case, but be subjected to 
restraint. Sir Count d’Entragues, I shall not sign.” 

The Princess uttered a shriek and threw both her arms 
round him. 

“ If you are serious in that, beloved, then are we lost, for 
who will help us if France will not? ” 

God and ourselves, Ludovicka! ” 

“ God listens not to our entreaties, and we are too weak 
to help ourselves. Oh, my beloved, prove now that you love 
me — that your vows are true. I am lost to you and you to 
me if we do not escape to-night — lost if we accept not France’s 
aid. Look, here is the sheet of paper; our whole future lies 
on it. I offer it to you, beloved, and with it my life, my love, 
my happiness. Will you scorn me? ” 

She held out to him both her trembling hands, and looked 
at him with glances of entreaty. He returned the look, and 
a deadly paleness overspread his face. He took the sheet of 
paper from her hands — she opened her mouth for a cry of 
joy — then a shrill, rasping sound — he had torn the paper in 
two, and both pieces fell slowly to the ground. 

That is my answer, so help me God! I can do no other- 
wise.” 

A cry sounded from Ludovicka’s lips, but it was a cry 
of horror. She reeled back, as if a fearful blow had struck 
her, and stared at the Prince with wide-open eyes. 

You reject me with disdain? ” she asked in a toneless 
voice. You will not flee with me? ” 


MEDIA NOCTE. 


145 


He rushed toward her, cast himself upon his knees before 
her, kissing her dress and hands with passionate ardor. 

“ Forgive me, Ludovicka, forgive me! I can not act dif- 
ferently. I can not be a traitor to my country, to my father, 
to Germany. I can not listen to my heart, with regard to my 
future, for my future belongs to my people, my native land, 
not to myself alone. Go home, beloved; be steadfast and 
courageous, as I shall he, and then we shall conquer destiny 
itself and win victory for our love.” 

“ Stand up. Electoral Prince of Brandenburg! ” she cried 
imperiously, and with angry glance. “ Now answer me, will 
you accept the help of France, and flee with me? ” 

He turned away from her with a deep sigh. No, I shall 
not accept the help of France.” 

Count d^Entragues,” said the Princess, with shrill, quiv- 
ering voice, you are a gentleman; I place myself under your 
protection. You will immediately conduct me to Doom- 
ward.” 

The count hastened to her and offered her his ’hand. She 
accepted it, and he led her slowly through the vast hall to 
one of the doors of entrance. 

The Electoral Prince looked after her with distorted fea- 
tures and burning eyes. Once he made a movement as if to 
rush after her, but by a mighty effort he kept his place. Ar- 
rived at the door, she paused and turned upon him an earnest, 
questioning glance; he cast down his eyes before it. Count 
d’Entragues opened the door — a breathless pause ensued — 
then the door closed behind her. 

The Electoral Prince placed his trembling hand upon his 
heart, and two tears rolled from his eyes. Violently he shook 
them away, and turned his head to the notary. 

Sir,” he said, in a firm voice — sir, I beg you to show 
me the way out. I would go to my palace.” 


146 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


VI. — The Hardest Victory. 

The Electoral Prince had returned home, hut he did not 
sleep the whole night through. The chamberlain, whose room 
adjoined the Prince’s sleeping apartment, had heard him rest- 
lessly pacing the floor all night long, at times talking to him- 
self half aloud, and then even weeping and lamenting. In 
his anguish of heart he had wakened Baron Leuchtmar and 
the private secretary Muller, in order to impart to them the 
melancholy news. Both gentlemen had immediately risen 
and dressed themselves, and softly approached the door of 
the princely chamber. They, too, had heard the restless 
steps, the loud groans and lamentations of the Prince, and 
his grief had passed into their own hearts. As they looked 
at each other, each observed tears in the eyes of the 
other, and with quivering lips both whispered, “ Poor 
young man! he must have some great grief! He suffers a 
great deal! ” 

You must go to him, Leuchtmar,” whispered Muller. 

You must ask what ails him, and try to comfort him.” 

The baron mournfully shook his head. “ My dear Muller,” 
he said, have you ever been in love? ” 

“ No, never! ” replied Muller^ in astonishment. “ Why 
do you ask such a question? ” 

Because you would then know, friend, that there is no 
consolation for disappointment in love.” 

“You think, then, that the Prince is disappointed in 
love? ” 

“ Certainly, I think so. What other grief can a young 
Prince of hardly eighteen years have, especially when his 
heart is engrossed with a glowing passion. The Prince was last 
night in the Media Nocte, and something peculiar must have 
occurred there, for he came home unusually early, his custom 
having been of late not to return home until daybreak, sing- 
ing and rejoicing.” 

“ Only hear, Leuchtmar, how he sobs and groans! And 
now! Hush! what does he say? ” 

Both gentlemen held their breath, and quite distinctly 


THE HARDEST VICTORY. 147 

could be heard within the wailing, tear-choked voice of the 
Prince: 

It is impossible — ^it is impossible. I can not. No, I can 
not. The sacrifice is too heavy! My heart will break! 

Hear him well,” whispered Muller, amid his tears; he 
can not make the sacrifice. He will die of grief. My God! 
go to him, baron. Tell him he need not make the sacrifice. 
No one can require of him the impossible. Go to him, man! 
Be humane. My God! only hear how he laments and 
groans! ” 

“ I hear it, but I can not go in. I do not know his sorrow, 
and if the Prince needs me he can call me.” 

^^You are a savage,” said Muller desperately. ‘‘Well, if 
you will not comfort him, then shall I go to him.” 

He stretched out his hand for the door knob, but Baron 
Leuchtmar held him back, and led the good private secretary 
back to his own room. 

“ Let us go to bed, friend,” he said; “ even if we can not 
sleep, as is probable, yet we can rest, which is need’ful for our 
aged limbs. We can not yet help the Prince; and, believe 
me, he would never forgive us if we were to go to him un- 
summoned, thereby betraying that we have been privy to his 
suffering and his pain. He has a grief, there is no question 
about that; but he is retiringly modest, and at the same time 
has a stout heart that will admit no one to share with him a 
burden he has perhaps imposed upon himself. I am glad of 
this, Muller, and I tell you such hours of solitary grief purify 
the manly heart; in them the old myth is verified, from the 
fire and ashes of spent sorrows springs up the new-fiedged 
phoenix. Should we prevent our Prince from passing through 
his purgatory, that he may emerge from the flames as a phoenix 
and a victorious hero? ” 

“You may be right,” sighed Muller, “but I only know 
that he is suffering bitterly.” 

Baron Leuchtmar smiled sadly. “ May these sufferings 
steel his heart,” he said, “ that he may be armed against greater 
and bitterer trials! Come, Muller, we will to bed, and to 
sleep.” 

But, however composedly and resolutely the baron had 


148 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


opposed himself to the suggestions of his soft-hearted col- 
league, sleep that night forsook his eyes, and ever he heard 
in imagination the Prince’s groans and laments. At times 
he could hardly repress his longing to get up, to creep to the 
Prince’s door and listen, that he might discover whether he 
were still awake. But the baron forcibly restrained himself, 
and finally, as day already began to dawn, he actually fell 
asleep. He might possibly have slept a few hours, hut his serv- 
ant approached his couch and roused him. 

Baron,” he said, some one is here who urgently desires 
to speak to you.” 

Who, Frederick, who is there?” asked Baron Leucht- 
mar, quickly rising. 

The chamberlain, Baron von Marwitz, has arrived from 
Berlin.” 

Marwitz, the Elector’s first chamberlain?” cried the 
baron. Quick, my clothes, quick! Help me to dress myself. 
Run and tell Baron von Marwitz that I will he at his service 
directly. But first tell me whether his highness is already 
visible. Has he already ordered his breakfast?” 

No, baron, I believe all is still quiet in his highness’s 
apartments.” 

God he thanked! God he thanked! Now present my 
compliments to Baron von Marwitz, and then come quickly 
and help me.” 

Ten minutes later Baron Kalkhun von Leuchtmar entered 
the Prince’s reception room, where the chamberlain, Baron 
von Marwitz, awaited him. The two had a long conversation 
together, Leuchtmar listening with thoughtful mien to Mar- 
witz’s narration of the state of affairs at home. 

“ Marwitz,” he said, at the close of their conversation, “ we 
have been good and tried friends from our childhood; I know 
that the electoral house and our fatherland lie as near to your 
heart as to my own, and that I can trust you. I therefore tell 
you you have come at a fortunate hour, and God sends you! 
The heart of the Prince is wrung by a mighty sorrow, and 
he probably knows no way out of his griefs. You will show 
him one, and if he is actually the aspiring and noble-hearted 
Prince, whom God has sent for the blessing of his house and 


THE HARDEST VICTORY. 


149 


the hope of his country, then will he appreciate this way and 
walk in it. Go to him now, Marwitz, and lay before him can- 
didly and without reserve, as you have done before me, the 
deplorable condition of things in our native land.” 

“ You will come with me, Leuchtmar, and present me to 
the Electoral Prince? ” 

No, baron. You must suffer yourself to he announced 
by the chamberlain, for the Prince dismissed me yesterday 
in wrath. Hush, my friend! say not a word, it is not so bad! 
The heart of the Prince has reached a crisis in its history which 
will soon be past, and then, well then, he will call me of him- 
self again. But I shall wait for that. I can not intrude upon 
him now.” 

“ My friend,” sighed Marwitz, ‘‘ I begin to he afraid. If 
you do not support me, I will surely fail in my errand, and, 
like Schliehen, he forced to return disappointed to Berlin.” 

I think not. Only he of good courage and speak boldly, 
as your heart and your love of country dictate.” 

Is the Electoral Prince already up ? ” he aSked of the 
man in waiting, and, as he received nothing hut a shrug of the 
shoulders in reply, Leuchtmar beckoned to him to come 
nearer, and retired with him into a recess of one of the win- 
dows. 

Well, what is it, old Dietrich? You have seen the Elec- 
toral Prince already, have you not?” 

Yes, baron. He has not been to bed at all, hut still has 
on the clothes he wore when he went away last night. He 
is just as pale as a sheet, and his eyes which usually shine so 
gloriously are to-day quite dim. He called me, and I thought 
he was about to order breakfast, but no! Something quite 
different he wanted, and it struck me as peculiarly strange. 
The Electoral Prince asked me who was on duty this week, I 
or the second valet, Eberhard? I told him Eberhard, for his 
week began yesterday. Then said the Electoral Prince: 
^ Well, Dietrich, I want you to exchange with him this time, 
for I would like to have you to wait upon me this week, and 
Eberhard shall have a holiday the whole week. I only want 
to see your old face about me! ^ Is not that strange. Sir Baron? 
Until yesterday Eberhard stood in such high favor, and my 


150 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


gracious master always preferred being dressed by him. Only 
yesterday evening Eberhard must accompany him to the feast, 
and now, all at once, my gracious master will not see him! 
Something must have happened, for last night Eberhard 
came home much later than the Electoral Prince, and asked, 
as if bewildered, whether his highness had been back long; 
and when I told him that the Electoral Prince had bidden 
me change with him, he turned deadly pale, trembled in every 
limb, and said, ‘ It is all over with me! ’ Baron, something 
surely happened last night.^’ 

Probably Eberhard has been guilty of some negligence,” 
said Leuchtmar carelessly. He has often been negligent of 
late, as it seems to me. He has some love affair on hand, has 
he not? ” 

“ Yes, Sir Baron, he has gotten in with that artful cham- 
bermaid of the Princess Ludovicka, out there at Doornward, 
and they are engaged to one another. But people do not 
say much good of Madame Alice: she is a cunning French 
girl and ” 

Ho not trouble yourself about what people say,” inter- 
rupted the baron. “ Ho your own duty and rejoice that for 
this week the Electoral Prince gives you the preference over 
Eberhard. Go, now, and announce to his highness the cham- 
berlain, Baron von Marwitz, from Berlin.” 

A few minutes later the gentleman announced entered 
the Prince’s drawing room. Frederick William advanced into 
the middle of the room to meet him, and greeted him with 
grave courtesy. 

" I was expecting you, baron,” he said coldly. 

“Your highness was expecting me?” asked the baron, 
astonished. “A^our highness knew already that I would 
come? ” 

“ Yes, I knew it, baron. My mother’s court painter, Ga- 
briel Hietzel, arrived yesterday, and through him my gracious 
mother informed me that the Elector would send you to me 
with a very serious and angry message. A^ou see, I am pre- 
pared. Heliver your message now, baron. Let us be seated.” 

The Prince sat down in the armchair and made the baron 
sit opposite him. His large eyes were fixed upon Marwitz, and 


THE HARDEST VICTORY. 


151 


burned with a strange, sad light. His noble pale countenance 
was of touching beauty. 

“ Y"ou hesitate? ” asked the Prince quietly, after a pause. 

What you have to say to me is, then, very bad? ” 

“ No, your highness, not therefor did I delay,” cried the 
baron, with feeling. “ Your appearance bewildered me, be- 
cause it pleased me so much. I have not seen your highness 
for three years. You were then hardly fifteen years old, a 
noble, promising boy, and now I behold you with rapture 
and delight, seeing that all our expectations have been ful- 
filled, and that out of the boy has grown a strong, noble, and 
serious young man. Yes, Prince, I read it in your counte- 
nance, your unhappy fatherland, your unhappy, much-to-be- 
pitied Brandenburgers, may look with trust and confidence 
to the future, for you will save and rescue them.” 

‘‘Save them from what? Rescue them from what?” 
asked the Prince, in cold and measured phrase. “ Why do 
you call my fatherland unhappy, and why do you say that 
the Brandenburgers are to be pitied? Is not my -fatherland, 
for doubtless you do not mean Germany, but my special father- 
land, in which I have been born and reared, is not the Mark 
Brandenburg now quite happy and peaceful, as it has been 
for some years past, since it is again under the EmperoPs 
protection and favor, in pleasant neutrality between the two 
inimical parties? And as to my good Brandenburgers, I can 
not imagine how you can call them so much to be pitied when 
Count Adam von Schwarzenberg is still Stadtholder in the 
Mark — Count Adam von Schwarzenberg, who certainly must 
have the good of Brandenburg at heart, since he knows how 
much my father loves him and trusts to him. He will always 
show himself worthy of confidence, I doubt not, and I have 
the highest respect for my father’s great and wise minister.” 

“Ah! your highness mistrusts me,” cried Marwitz with 
an expression of pain. “ Your highness takes me for one of 
Schwarzenberg’s adherents.” 

“No, I take you for what you are, the messenger and 
emissary of my father, the Elector of Brandenburg.” 

“ Your highness would thereby say that this messenger 
and emissary has consequently received his orders from Count 


152 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Schwarzenberg, because tbe count is really lord of tbe Mark 
and tbe Elector’s right band. I read in your countenance 
that you do so, and that therefore you mistrust me. But I 
swear to you, Prince, you may believe in my honest, upright 
intentions — you may believe that what I say is in solemn 
earnest.” 

I believe it, certainly I believe it,” said the Prince. 
“ You have undertaken the commissions of the Elector and 
his Minister Schwarzenherg; naturally you will be in earnest 
in executing them.” 

Prince, I have undertaken the commissions, the behests 
of the Elector; hut from himself and not from his minister 
did I obtain them. I have sworn to execute them, and do 
you know why? ” 

^^Why? Simply because you are your master’s obedient 
servant.” 

No, Prince, because I am a faithful servant of my coun- 
try, and because I have a heart to feel for her affliction and 
distress. The Elector has commanded me to travel to The 
Hague, and to convey his strict injunction to the Electoral 
Prince that he shall immediately set out and return home to 
Berlin. The Elector bids me say to your highness that he has 
committed to me five thousand dollars to defray the expenses of 
your journey back and for the liquidation of the most press- 
ing debts. Should this sum not sufflce, then am I empowered, 
in the name of his Electoral Highness, to give security for the 
payment of the other debts, and your highness is so to arrange 
your journey that your suite may follow in the least expensive 
way possible. I was to urge on you seriously and decidedly 
the propriety of departure, and your father bids me state to 
you that he has his own peculiarly strong reasons for esteem- 
ing a further sojourn in Holland neither safe, profitable, nor 
reputable. I was to assure your highness that you were not 
to he recalled, in order to he forced into a repulsive marriage. 
At the same time, the Elector desires that 5^ou return unem- 
barrassed by engagements, and that you by no means entangle 
yourself by marriage without his knowledge and consent, for 
to such a union would the Elector not agree, nor ratify it.” * 
* The Elector’s own words. See von Orlich, vol. i. 


THE HARDEST VICTORY. 


153 


that all you have to say to me?^’ asked the Prince, 
when Marwitz was silent. 

Prince, it is all I have to say to you in the Elector’s name, 
and I have herewith executed the commission intrusted to 
me. But I have something still to add. I have still to exe- 
cute the commissions given me by your future land, by your 
future subjects. I have to transmit to you the tears of the 
wretched, the sighs of the impoverished, the cries of the de- 
spairing, the agonized shriek of all the provinces, all the towns, 
all the villages, houses, and huts in the Mark. Prince, from 
the depth of their affliction all hearts uplift themselves to 
you; in the midst of their despair, the oppressed, the down- 
trodden, the tormented all venture to hope in you, and in 
spirit they kneel before you and with outstretched hands en- 
treat you, as I do now, ^ Pity our distress, future Elector of 
Brandenburg, have compassion upon the lands and provinces 
which shall one day constitute your state. Turn not a deaf 
ear to the prayers, the hopes of your future subjects.’ ” 
Marwitz had sunk upon the floor, and stretched ’his clasped 
hands out to the Prince, who looked thoughtfully into his 
excited face. 

“ And what would my future subjects have, what do they 
desire of me?” 

That you forthwith, without delay, return to the Mark 
by the speediest way possible.” 

^^I?” cried the Electoral Prince, with a mocking smile. 

Your wishes and entreaties, and those of the Brandenhurgers, 
coincide very exactly with my father’s orders! ” 

Yes, they do coincide, but spring from different motives. 
Prince, we implore, we entreat you to return; no longer give 
us over to the caprice, the villainy, the tyranny and avarice of 
Count von Schwarzenberg. He is the evil demon of your 
father, of your country. Come home and frighten him away! ” 
The Prince started, and for a moment a deep glow suffused 
his pale countenance. His look penetrated deeper into the 
baron’s uplifted, beseeching eyes, as if through them he would 
read into the very depths of his heart. 

“ Stand up, Marwitz,” he said, after a long pause — stand 
up, for you are too old and too venerable to kneel before so 


154 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


young a man as myself. Rise, sit down near me, and explain 
your words more clearly. What good can my return home 
do, and how think you that I can benefit the land? And 
first and foremost, why do you call Count Schwarzenberg the 
evil demon of my father and his country? ’’ 

Permit me, your highness, to answer the last question 
first, and thus will you understand the rest. Count Schwarz- 
enherg is answerable for all the distress, wretchedness, and 
misery which envelop the Mark, Prussia, indeed all parts of 
your devastated and distracted land, for he acts contrary to 
the true interests of the Elector and his land, being wholly 
devoted to the interests of his own master, the Emperor of 
Germany. To this end all is worked and manoeuvred, with 
this aim all efforts are undertaken, to ruin Brandenburg, and 
take from it all power and consideration, yea, all hope, in 
order that it may be rendered dependent upon the Emperor 
and empire, and become less dangerous. For the benefit of 
the Emperor, and to the detriment of the Elector and his 
land, has Count Schwarzenberg concluded the treaty of 
Prague. Up to that time Brandenburg was the ally of Sweden, 
now it is neutral — that is to say, it is the prey of both parties; 
it is visited, laid under contribution, and plundered by the 
Swedish and Imperialist troops, and can apply for redress 
to no one, expect aid from no one. With each day the misery 
increases more and more. All trade and commerce languish; 
in the country the fields remain untilled, in the towns the 
artisans are unemployed, nobody finds work or wages. Hun- 
ger and want, and in their retinue sickness and death, daily 
demand hundreds of victims. The Swede has possession of 
your rightful heritage, Pomerania, and the Imperialists press 
to invade the Pomeranian towns and lay them under contribu- 
tion, without thinking of leaving the vanquished cities where- 
withal to pay tribute to their Sovereign, the Elector of Bran- 
denburg. Imperialist is to become the whole Mark, the whole 
of Pomerania and Prussia, Westphalia and the duchy of 
Cleves. Imperialist and Catholic — that is Count Schwarzen- 
berg’s plan, and with cruel consistency he puts in motion 
everything that can conduce to its accomplishment. To pre- 
vent the recovery, the prosperity of Prussia and the Mark is 


THE HARDEST VICTORY. 


155 


the aim of all his policy. He exhausts the land, and yet more 
than the enemy plunders and taxes the towns, enriching him- 
self through the blood and tears of the tortured citizens and 
hungry peasantry, living in luxury and splendor, while the 
Elector is suffering want, while his land is starved and un- 
productive.” 

“ Abominable! horrible! ” groaned the Electoral Prince, 
covering his face with both his hands, probably to conceal 
from Marwitz the tears which stood in his eyes. 

‘^Prince,” cried Marwitz joyfully, ^^you are moved! The 
afflictions of your country touch your noble heart! Oh, may 
God be with you in this hour, and strengthen you for noble 
and great resolves! ” 

What do you require of me? ” asked the Prince, after a 
pause, slowly withdrawing his hands from his livid face. 

What can I do? ” 

You can come home. Prince, come home to the un- 
happy land whose future lord you are by the appointment of 
God. Your mere presence will he a comfort to the unhappy, 
a terror to Schwarzenherg. On you rest the hopes of all patri- 
ots. You are the standard around whom they rally, the ban- 
ner to which they look up in hope and patience, for which, 
if needs he, they will battle to the last drop of their blood. 
You furnish us all with a center and support, perhaps even 
your father himself, who maybe sometimes fears his own 
almighty minister, certainly your mother, who longs for her 
son as her stay and support! Prince, one more last word. I 
say it with hesitation, I would not even intrust it to the air, 
and yet it must he spoken — Prince, the power of Count 
Schwarzenherg over your father’s heart is great, and — and— 
Count Schwarzenherg is a believing Catholic! It would be 
a new pillar to his might if the Elector ” 

Hush, hush! ” interrupted the Electoral Prince, jump- 
ing up from his seat. Hot another word! You are right, 
the very air itself may not hear such words! Bury them in 
your heart and never again utter them! These are fearful 
tidings, which you have brought me, Marwitz, and my heart 
is bitterly, painfully moved by them, so that for an instant 
I ” 


11 


156 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Oh, my beloved young master,” entreated Marwitz, let 
not your heart be merely touched by them, but be inspired and 
sanctified. Embrace a high noble decision. Conquer yourself, 
and ” 

With uplifted hand the Electoral Prince beckoned him 
to be silent, and with rapid step and head sunk he paced up 
and down the apartment. Then all at once he stopped, and, 
quickly raising his head, asked, “ Where is Leuchtmar? Why 
did he not come with you? ” 

I know not. Prince — he told me he could not dare to 
appear in your presence; he 

‘^Ah! that is true,” said the Prince mournfully; ^^we 

have not seen each other since I beg of you, Marwitz, to 

go and fetch Leuchtmar to me.” 

The baron made haste to execute the Prince’s mandate. 
Frederick William looked after him until the door closed 
behind him. Then his large, moist eyes were slowly upraised 
to heaven, and his trembling lips murmured: “ Oh, how young 
I am yet, and how much I have still to learn! Help me, my 
God, that I may have the needed strength! ” 

Again the door opened, and Marwitz entered, followed by 
Leuchtmar, who remained standing at the door. The Elec- 
toral Prince looked at him with questioning glances, and ever 
brighter became his brow, ever more cheerful his aspect. And 
all at once he spread out his arms, and in a tone of most heart- 
felt love, most tender pleading, called out, “ My beloved teach- 
er! come to my arms! ” 

Leuchtmar sprang forward with a cry of joy. The Prince 
tenderly fell on his neck and pressed him closely to his 
breast. 

“ Oh,” he murmured softly, my friend, I have suffered 
much, and still suffer. Forgive me on account of my pain! ” 

And he leaned his head on Leuchtmar’s shoulder and wept 
bitterly. A long pause ensued. No one of the three could in- 
terrupt it, for speech remained locked upon the trembling 
lips of all, and only their tears, their sighs spoke. Then the 
door slowly opened, and the private secretary, Muller, appeared 
upon the threshold. For a moment he stood still, and looked 
with quivering lips upon the Prince, who was just slowly 


THE HARDEST VICTORY. I57 

extricating himself from Leuchtmar’s embrace, then he 
stepped resolutely forward. 

Your highness,” he said, forgive me for venturing to 
intrude my presence here, without having been summoned. 
But old Dietrich dared not take th*e step which I do now, and 
so the responsibility rests upon myself alone.” 

And what is it? ” asked the Prince. What brings you 
to me, my dear, true friend? ” 

He calls me his dear, true friend! ” rejoiced Muller. 
All is right again, then — all is in order! We are not dis- 
missed — we are not sent home! ” 

You may be, after all, my old friend,” said the Elec- 
toral Prince, with a feeble smile. “ But what would you say 
to me? What sort of responsibility have you taken upon 
yourself? ” 

Prince, I have taken upon myself the responsibility of 
admitting into your cabinet the veiled lady who has just come, 
and of requesting you to grant her the audience for which she 
has been besieging Dietrich with tears and lamenterdons. Die- 
trich, however, would not hear to it, and the lady continually 
called for Eberhard to come — Eberhard must lead her to the 
Prince. But, as Dietrich says, this is not Eberhard’s week of 
service, so that he can not enter here. I was attracted to the 
antechamber by the loud conversation, and now the lady turned 
upon me, and pleaded so touchingly and so eloquently, that 
1 could not refuse to grant her request. Your highness, I 
have conducted the lady into your cabinet, and she awaits you 
there.” 

But, Muller,” cried Baron Leuchtmar despairingly, 
what have you done? How could you be so inconsiderate? ” 
The old man drew himself up, and his mild eye grew angry. 
Inconsiderate! I was not at all inconsiderate, Baron Leucht- 
mar. On the contrary, I thought it would be unworthy of a 
noble Prince to allow a woman to plead in vain, and I thought, 
moreover, that Hercules would never have become a hero if 
he had not had the valor to meet the women who greeted him 
at the crossing of the roads.” 

^^You have done right, Miiller,” said Frederick William, 
with a faint smile; ^^it will be seen whether Hercules was 


158 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


perhaps my forefather. I shall speak to the lady. Wait for me 
here.” 

He crossed the apartment hastily, and entered his cabinet. 
In the center of the room stood a veiled female form. The 
Prince, however, recognized her, although her face could not 
be seen, for he knew her by her pretty coquettish costume to 
be the Princess Ludovicka’s French chambermaid, and he 
stepped quickly up to her. 

“ I thought that it was you, Alice,” he said softly, and I 

have therefore come to tell you to 

With sudden movement she tore back her veil, and before 
the pale, beautiful countenance thereby revealed the Prince 
stepped back, as pale as death. 

You yourself? ” he murmured. You, Ludovicka? ” 

Yes, I, Ludovicka! I come here in my maid’s dress,” 
said she, in a voice trembling with pain and emotion. I come 
to you, my beloved, to ask you whether you will desert me, 
leaving me in despair, affliction, and heart-sickness? 0 Fred- 
erick, Frederick! how fearfully have I suffered this night! ” 

And I ? ” murmured he softly. Have I not suffered 
too?” 

Yo,” she cried, “ you have not suffered as I did, for you 
love me not as I love you — you love me not more than your 
life, your honor, your fatherland! You will abandon and for- 
sake me, because it is France that has offered us aid! Oh, you 
are a cold, heartless man, as all men are, and yet I love you so 
much and can not live without you! Frederick William, you 
will not go with me to France — w'ell then, I will go with you, 
wherever you will. I cleave to you — I will stay with you! Let 
shame and ignominy be my fate, let my mother curse me, let 
all the world despise me and call me your mistress, I will stay 
with you, for I love you and can not live without you! ” 
Passionately she extended her arms to him, love flaming in 
her glances. But a darker shadow flitted. across the Prince’s 
face, and he shrank back. 

God forbid, Ludovicka,” he said, that misery and shame 
should ever come to you through me, that your mother should 
curse you for my sake! We are both yet children, Ludovicka. 
I felt right painfully last night that the first duty of children 


THE HARDEST VICTORY. 


159 


is to obey and reverence their parents. Let us do our duty, 
Ludovicka! ” 

“ That is,” replied she with swelling rage — that is to say, 
you give me up? They have overcome 3^our opposition, they 
have brought you back to obedience, to subjection? ” 

“No other than myself has done it, Ludovicka.” 

“You? You give me up? Voluntarily? And yet you 
swore that you loved me and me alone of all the world?” 

“And I swore truly, Ludovicka. I love you bound- 
lessly! ” 

“ And yet you will forsake me? ” 

“ Yet I must do so, beloved! I must forsake you, but God 
alone, who has witnessed my tortures this past night, knows 
what I suffer. My father is solitary, my fatherland calls to 
me, and the first thing that I sacrifice on its altar is my love 
for you. I can not marry you, Ludovicka, and God forbid 
that I should accept your love without marriage! ” 

“ Words, nothing but words! ” cried she indignantly. 
“ You would palliate your unfaithfulness, represent your fickle- 
ness of mind as magnanimity! But I hear only one thing in 
your words — you give me up, you renounce your love? ” 

“Yes! ” he cried with a loud scream of pain — “ yes, I 
renounce my love! ” 

“ Vengeance upon you for it! ” cried she, in flaming wrath. 
“ I, Ludovicka Hollandine, cry vengeance upon you, for you 
break my heart! ” 

“ And you will have no compassion? You will not see what 
I suffer? Ludovicka, look! Look in my eyes, they wept out 
last night the pains of a whole life — see what I suffer ! Ludo- 
vicka, on my knees I beseech you, if you really love me, then 
have pity upon me — for the sake of my agony forgive me what 
you suffer! ” 

And beside himself with emotion, he fell upon his knees, 
lifting up to her his clasped hands and his face that was bathed 
in tears. 

But now it was she who shrank back. “ No,” said she 
harshly and severely, “no, no compassion, no forgiveness! 
I do not love you, I have never loved you, for you are a foolish 
boy, and know nothing of the glow of passion! You are a 


160 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


child! Go away and act like a child, and be an obedient son! 
Love rejects you! love turns from you! ” 

And waving him off with both hands, the Princess turned 
and walked to the door. Frederick William, still upon his 
knees, heard her quickly retreating steps, but did not rise. 
Ludovicka had already stretched out her hand to open 
the door; but she turned round once more, and in tones of 
mingled love and grief cried, ‘‘ Frederick, will you let me 
go?” 

He did not answer, his head sank lower, and a painful groan 
forced itself from his breast. She opened the door — he heard 
it — he saw the streak of light that crossed the room through 
the open door, it vanished — the door had closed. Then was 
wrung from the Prince’s breast a shriek of agony such as only 
issues from the lips of man under the pressure of earth’s sharp- 
est pangs. 

The three gentlemen were yet assembled in the Prince’s 
drawing room, conversing and imparting to one another their 
fears and hopes. All at once the door of the cabinet opened and 
the Electoral Prince entered. Pale as death, but with firm, 
determined features, he stepped up to the three gentlemen, 
who looked at him with tender, anxious glances. 

'"Marwitz,” he said, ‘"you can this very day set out on 
your return to Berlin, for your mission is fulfilled. Say to my 
father that as an obedient son I submit to his wishes, and shall 
forthwith depart for Berlin.” 

The three gentlemen only answered him by a single cry of 
joy, and, animated by one feeling, one inspiration, sank upon 
their knees and prayed aloud, Bless, 0 God! bless the Prince, 
who has conquered himself! ” 

What is going on here? ” asked a loud manly voice behind 
them. What means this? Three gentlemen on their knees, 
and my young cousin looking on like the Knight St. George! ” 
And so he is. Prince of Orange,” cried Baron Leuchtmar, 
rising and advancing to meet the Prince, who had come in 
unannounced, as was his wont at the house of his cousin. 
“ Yes, he is a Knight St. George, who has conquered the 
dragon. You know, Prince Henry, how sweetly they have en- 
ticed him, with what magic chains they have been encircling 


THE HARDEST VICTORY. 


161 


him. You know the Media Nocte and — added he softly — 
the Princess Ludovicka.” 

Well, and what more now? asked the Prince, with eager 
interest. 

Not much, cousin,” said Frederick William, with a melan- 
choly smile. I must bid you farewell. I owe it to my par- 
ents, to my honor, and my country, forthwith to leave The 
Hague!”* 

“ Bravo, cousin, bravo! ” cried Henry of Orange. ‘‘ You 
flee from danger and escape from temptation. That is to be 
called heroism, and herewith you have as truly conquered a 
citadel as when I vanquished Breda! ” 

“ Believe me too, cousin,” said Frederick William, while he 
leaned upon the Prince’s heroic breast — “ believe me, that this 
victory has cost much blood and many tears.” 

One moment he let his head rest on the shoulder of his 
fatherly friend, then proudly drew himself up. 

Baron Leuchtmar and you, my trusty private secretary, 
Muller! ” he cried, with loud voice, to-day we leave The 
Hague and proceed to Arnheim, and thence we set forth to- 
morrow on our journey home. Marwitz, you travel in advance. 
The golden days of our youth are past! Let iron ones follow! 
I am prepared for all! ” 

* The precise words of the Electoral Prince. See C. D. Kuster, The 
Remarkable Youth of the Great Elector, p. 39. 


BOOK III. 


I. — Kew Plans. 

“ Strange, very strange/’ muttered Count Adam Schwarz- 
enberg to himself. “ The Prince must have set out on his jour- 
ney four weeks ago, and still no news from Oahriel Nietzel! 
The journey hy sea, it is true, offered no opportunity for any 
enterprise, and the Electoral Prince had the sublime fancy of 
choosing the water in preference to the land route, in spite 
of the severities of this season of the year. But, according to 
the Prince’s scheme of traveling, and acording to my own cal- 
culations, the Prince must have reached Hamburg full eight 
days ago, and as he was only to stay there three days, he must 
already have been journeying five days by land, and yet have I 
in vain looked for any tidings whatever from Gabriel Kietzel. 
Could it be possible that this man has dared to disobey me? 
— could he have carried his folly so far as to sacrifice wife and 
child rather than execute my commands? ” 

Gloomily the count’s brow wrinkled, as he asked himself 
this question, and his eyes flamed with fury. With folded 
arms he walked rapidly to and fro. 

“ To think that all my plans may be wrecked by the pangs 
of conscience of a single fool! ” he sighed — “ to think, that for 
months, nay, for years, I have been laboring in vain to see the 
realization of these projects, and that in my highest, proudest 

aims I am dependent upon a blockhead, who What is 

it Daniel? What is your errand? ” 

Pardon me, your excellency; some one is without who 
desires most urgently to speak with you.” 

Who is it? — do you know him? ” 

No, my lord count, I do not know him, and he will not 
163 


NEW PLANS. 


163 


tell what he wants of your excellency. He says he must speak 
with your lordship himself, and I must only announce his 
name. It is Gabriel Nietzel.^^ 

Gabriel Metzel! ” cried the count. Why did you not 
tell me so directly, you fool! Bring him in without delay, 
and take care that no one disturbs us so long as the painter 
Gabriel Metzel is with us.’^ 

The lackey hurried otf, leaving the door open for the 
painter, whom he fetched in from the first antechamber. 
Breathlessly, in violent excitement. Count Schwarzenherg 
looked toward this open door. “ It is my future fate that is 
about to enter,” he murmured. Ah, there he is! There is 
Gabriel Metzel! ” And in his vehement agitation he rushed 
forward a few steps to meet the painter, whom he saw approach- 
ing through the entrance hall. But forcibly constraining him- 
self to an appearance of moderation and reserve, he stood still 
and assumed a calm, unimpassioned expression. Gabriel Met- 
zel entered, and behind him the lackey gently closed the door. 
The sharp eyes of the count rested inquiringly upon the new- 
comer, who remained standing near the door with head sunk 
and humble, melancholy mien. This submissive, contrite si- 
lence on the part of the returning painter was sufficiently elo- 
quent to the mind of the count. It told him that Gabriel Met- 
zel had nothing welcome to communicate. He subdued his 
rage and proudly threw back his head, as if to shake oft, like 
troublesome insects, all his disappointed hopes. 

^^Well, you are actually at home again. Master Court 
Painter! ” he cried, in a tone that was well-nigh cheerful. 

Yes, your excellency,” whispered Gabriel, with downcast 
eyes, here I am again, and report myself forthwith to your 
excellency.” 

^^To me?” asked Schwarzenherg, affecting astonishment. 

Why do you report yourself to me, and what have I to do 
with you. Sir Court Painter Gabriel Nietzel ? You should have 
gone to the palace, to the Electress, and gladdened her heart 
with your pleasing intelligence. I doubt not that you are the 
bearer of glad tidings for her, and come to forewarn her of 
the Prince’s speedy arrival here in safety and good health?” 

“ I had no wish to go to her highness the Electress,” said 


164 : 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Gabriel Nietzel humbly. She knows already, independently 
of any information from me, that the Electoral Prince is safe 
and sound. I come to your excellency to excuse myself for the 
failure of my undertaking, and to beg your pardon.” 

“ I do not understand you at all. Sir Court Painter,” re- 
plied Count Schwarzenberg, shrugging his shoulders. I 
know not what sort of undertaking you had in view, what you 
have failed in, and what I can have to pardon you for.” 

“ Your excellency! ” cried Gabriel with an outburst of grief 
— your excellency, I swear that I am innocent, that it has 
been the result of no ill will, no negligence, but because I really 

could not find an opportunity for carrying but what ” 

“ Well, carrying out what? ” asked Schwarzenberg, when 
Gabriel faltered. What do I care for your unfinished works, 
your abortive schemes? I only buy finished pictures, and, if 
they are well executed and successes, I pay for them in kingly 
style. With daubers, though, and wretched copyists who 
would pass off copies as originals, I have nothing to do. Speak 
not to me, then. Sir Court Painter, of your sketches and de- 
signs. I ask nothing about them, but only come to me when 
you have a completed work to exhibit.” 

" Your excellency will not understand me,” said Gabriel, 
while drops of agony trickled from his cold brow. 

“ No,” proudly retorted the count, it is for you to under- 
stand me^ Sir Court Painter Gabriel Nietzel. Were you not 
sent to The Hague to complete your studies there? Why 
have you returned home so soon ? ” 

Because I was homesick, most gracious sir — because I' 
longed inexpressibly after my child, my wife! ” 

The painter ventured to lift his eyes with earnest anxiety 
and entreaty to the face of the count, but Schwarzenberg’s 
glance remained cold. 

Ah, you have a wife? ” he asked, with indifference. You 
left her behind and went alone to The Hague? ” 

“ Yes, I went there quite alone, because I had a great and 
important work to accomplish there; but before I had even 
stretched my canvas and sketched the outlines, an unexpected 
hindrance interposed which annihilated all my plans.” 

^^What sort of hindrance?” asked the count carelessly. 


NEW PLANS. 


165 


while he played with the heavy golden chain about his neck, 
to which was attached the portrait of the Elector set in hril-^ 
Hants. “ What sort of hindrance? 

The Electoral Prince, to whom the Electress had recom- 
mended me, and who received me into the number of his at- 
tendants, suddenly and unexpectedly determined to take his 
departure from The Hague, and straightway carried his reso- 
lution into effect. He himself, together with Baron von Mar- 
witz, Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun, secretary Muller, and his 
chamberlain repaired forthwith to Amsterdam, in order to 
take ship there. He, however, ordered his major-domo and 
myself to break up his household, to pack up his hooks and 
paintings, and to journey with them by land to Berlin. I 
ventured to protest against this, and even preferred the request 
to be permitted to accompany the Electoral Prince upon his 
sea voyage; this, however, Baron Leuchtmar refused, and no- 
body was allowed to speak with the Electoral Prince himself. 
Up to the time of his departure he remained shut up in his 
chamber, and only left it to get into the carriage which con- 
veyed him to Amsterdam. There, as was known, lay a pas- 
senger vessel ready to sail for Hamburg, and in this the Elec- 
toral Prince took passage.’’ 

And you did not see the Electoral Prince at all before he 
set out? ” 

Oh, your excellency, I had ranged myself along with all 
his other household officers at the side of his traveling carriage, 
and the Prince very condescendingly held out his hand to me, 
yes, he even tried to smile. ^ Gabriel Hietzel,’ he said, ^ make 
all speed to reach Berlin right soon. I shall desire my mother 
to allow you to enter my special service, and then you shall 
paint for me many a preUy picture. Until then, farewell! ’ 
.He once more nodded kindly to me, and jumped into the car- 
riage.” 

That is the only time that you have spoken at all to the 
Electoral Prince? ” 

Ho, your honor, on the very day of my arrival I had an 
audience with him, and the Electoral Prince was highly de- 
lighted to receive news from home. I must tell him everything 
in detail, and since, with your gracious permission, I claimed 


166 


TEE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


to side with your lordship’s opponents, the Electoral Prince 
immediately became very confidential and affectionate to me, 
receiving me into his house and retinue, and promising to 
present me at the courts of the Stadtholder and the Queen of 
Bohemia.” 

How came it, then, that the Prince so immediately after- 
ward suddenly took the resolution to depart? ” 

“ Most gracious sir, four-and-twenty hours after myself the 
Chamberlain von Marwitz arrived at The itague, and had a 
long conversation with the Electoral Prince. Immediately 
after that the Electoral Prince gave orders for departure, and 
three hours later had already left The Hague.” 

Now it seems, therefore, that Baron von Marwitz is a 
very persuasive speaker, who well understood how to move the 
Electoral Prince’s heart, and to lead him hack to obedience to 
his father and — myself. I shall therefore prove my gratitude 
to Herr von Marwitz. I like very much to have my orders and 
commissions executed punctiliously and exactly, and this Herr 
von Marwitz has done, for I had bidden him to leave no 
means untried whereby the Electoral Prince might he induced 
to leave Holland.” 

A crushing glance from his large gray eyes as he uttered 
these words fell full upon Gabriel Nietzel’s pale and contrite 
face, making his heart quake with undefined dread. 

Your honor is very angry with me? ” he asked faintly. 

‘‘You?” exclaimed the count in astonishment. “Why 
should I be angry with you? What have I to do with you? 
I only know you as the painter Hietzel, who sold me a copy for 
a good original, and whom I could therefore have condemned 
to the gallows as a falsifier and cheat. But you know I have 
forgiven you, and let your copy he valued as an original. I 
even went further in my magnanimous forgiveness; I had 
even intrusted you with commissions for Holland, where you 
were to visit the picture galleries in order to make copies. You 
have not executed my commissions, for you have returned home 
too soon. That is all, and therefore all connection between us 
is dissolved. Farewell, Mr. Court Painter Gabriel Metzel; 
you are dismissed! ” 

He haughtily motioned to the door, turned his back upon 


NEW PLANS. 


167 


the painter, and slowly traversed the apartment. But Gabriel 
Nietzel did not go. There he stood as if rooted to the spot, 
and stared fixedly at the count, who walked to and fro, as if 
lost in thought, and seemed to be wholly unconscious that the 
painter had dared still to remain in his presence. After a long 
pause his eye fell quite accidentally on the spot where Gabriel 
Nietzel stood, and he started as if in sudden terror. 

‘^Why, you still here?^’ he asked. “You dare to brave 
me? To terrify me with your dull, pale face? Have you 
grown deaf, Mr. Court Painter? Did you not hear me dis- 
miss you?” 

“ I heard, but your honor knows that I can not go. Your 
lordship well knows that from your lips I await the sentence 
which is to seal my whole future fate, and that I will not leave 
this room until I have received this.” 

“ How? You will not leave this room. You will stay al- 
though I have bidden you go ? Very well, then, I shall call my 
servants and have you put out.” 

And already the count’s hand was stretched forth to take 
his silver whistle. But Gabriel Nietzel dared to grasp this 
hand and hold it firmly between both his own. 

“ Pity, gracious sir, pity! ” he pleaded. “ Drive me from 
your presence, take from me the pension you most condescend- 
ingly insured to me; I feel that I am indeed undeserving of 
your favor and graciousness. Only, for pity’s sake, for hu- 
manity’s sake, restore to me my own — give me my wife and 
child!” 

“What have I to do with your wife and child?” asked 
Count Schwarzenberg angrily. “ Have you handed them over 
to me? Am I the chief of an asylum for deserted women and 
children? ” 

“ My wife. Sir Count, give me back my wifef cried Gabriel 
Metzel, sinking down upon his knees. 

“ I know nothing about her, I have never seen her,” said 
the count. 

“ You do know about Imr, your excellency! You took her 
and my dear, precious child under your protection when . I 
went to The Hague. You had my wife and child carried to 
Spandow, and gave them an abode within your palace there.” 


168 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


‘'Now I see plainly that you speak like a deranged man, 
Master Gabriel Nietzel,” cried the count passionately. “ Col- 
lect your faculties, man, or I shall immediately have you ar- 
rested and sent to a madhouse. I repeat, collect your faculties, 
and utter not such palpably idle tales. V ery likely that 1 should 
have taken your wife and child into my keeping. Bethink 
yourself, Master Gabriel Nietzel, be rational, and remember 
that you are happily unincumbered and a free bachelor! ’’ 

“No, no, I am not free! ” shrieked Gabriel Nietzel. “I 
have a wife, I have a child, and see them again I must! Deliver 
them up to me. Sir Count. I beseech you by all that is sacred 
— deliver them up to me! I must have my wife and boy again! ” 

“ Well then, go and look for them,” said Schwarzenberg 
composedly “ Apply to the police, and furnish them with a 
description of both their persons. Show your marriage 
license and your child’s certificate of baptism, that every one 
may be convinced of the truth of your deposition. Then write 
a description of your wife, or, as you are a painter, draw a like- 
ness of her, publish her name and family, call upon her rela- 
tives to render you their assistance, and in that way, if you 
really have a wife, you will in the end succeed in discovering 
her.” 

“ Sir Count, you well know that I can not do so,” groaned 
Gabriel Nietzel. “ You well know that I am a poor, ruined 
man, entirely in your power. I beseech you, have mercy upon 
me! Restore to me my wife and child, and I will do all that you 
require of me. Give me back my wife, and I swear to you that 
I will do here what I was to have done on the journey. I swear 
to you that I will make good what I missed, that I ” 

“ I do not believe your oaths, Gabriel Nietzel,” interposed 
the count. “ You are liberal with your oaths and promises, but 
come short in deeds, in performances. Nobody will pay for a 
picture before he has seen it, or at least a sketch of the same. 
Therefore take yourself off, devise a plan, sketch your outline, 
and bring it to me. If it pleases me, and is practicable, if I see 
that you are zealous and well disposed, then will I gladly aid 
you in its execution and pay you in princely style. That is my 
last word. Master Court Painter Gabriel Nietzel, and now go, 
and do not show your face here again until you can show me 


NEW PLANS. 


169 


that sketch. You have understood me, have you not, Master 
Gabriel Nietzel? I bespeak a picture, and you are to furnish 
me with a sketch of it; then, as you are in want, I shall gladly 
pay you for it in advance.^^ 

“ Yes, I have understood your lordship,’’ said Gabriel Niet- 
zel, heaving a deep sigh. I know a subject for the painting 
you have ordered, and will make a sketch of it. You shall net 
have to wait long for it.” 

“ It is a fine subject,” said Schwarzenberg quietly. “We 
might call it the murder of J ulius Caesar.” 

“ No, it is the execution of the Emperor Conrad III — 
the execution and murder of the last Hohen-Hohenstaufen,” 
sobbed the painter, while tears fell in clear streams from his 
eyes. 

“ I believe another paroxysm of insanity has seized you,” 
said the count contemptuously. “ How can any one weep mere- 
ly because he will represent a tragic scene? What is the last of 
the Hohenstaufens to you? You depict his death, and if the 
painting is a success I shall reward you handsomely for it, give 
you a splendid income, and then you can go to Italy, the home 
of all artists, to spend the remainder of your life there in pleas- 
ure and freedom.” 

“ It shall be just as your excellency says,” sighed Gabriel. 
“ Onl}^, your excellency, only be so gracious as to give me back 
my wife and child.” 

“ I said so, your paroxysm of madness is coming on afresh! ” 
cried Schwarzenberg, shrugging his shoulders. “ Man, are you 
really beside yourself? — have you lost your senses? Do you 
demand your wife and child of me, of Count Adam von 
Schwarzenberg, the Stadtholder in the Mark? Go away with 
your follies. Be off, so that you can make your sketch, and 
when you come back, and it is good, you will perhaps find me 
inclined to answer all your silly questions for you! ” 

“ Sir Count, oh, for God’s sake, let me at least see my Ee- 
becca once more! ” 

“Eebecca! your wife’s name is Eebecca? Why, that really 
sounds as if she were a J ewess. And you say that she is your 
wife? Ah, repeat that again, then name the priest who cele- 
brated your nuptials and united a Christian to a Jewess! By 


170 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE, 


! I shall bring this evildoer to a strict account, and he i 

shall he degraded from his office as a criminal and blot upon | 
the Church, for he has sinned against God, the Church, ; 
and his Sovereign! Gabriel Metzel, name the priest who mar- t 
ried you to a Jewess! 

I can not name him,” murmured Metzel, almost inaudi- 
hly. “ Sir Count, I will be obedient and diligent in your serv- 
ice. I am a wretched sinner, and must expiate my crime. I : 
shall do penance, too, and will be nothing more than a tool in 
your hands. Only have mercy upon me. Let me at least see > 
my wife and child, if I may not speak to them! I only wish to 
see them, in order to gain courage and strength for my difficult 
and dangerous undertaking.” 

The count reflected for a moment, his eyes fastened upon 
Gabriel MetzeFs countenance, whose imploring, anxious ex- i 
pression seemed to touch him. 

I have in my house at Spandow,” he said, after a long ; 
pause, a beautiful painting by Albrecht Diirer. It was, un- 
fortunately, a little injured in the transportation, and you shall 
restore it for me. To-morrow morning repair to Spandow, 
and ask for me. I shall he there, and will myself put the paint- i 
ing in your charge. Perhaps you will see there another paint- j 
ing besides, which will please you, and which, perhaps, is not 
unknown to you.” 

Gabriel Nietzcl took the count’s proffered hand, and with 
joyful impatience pressed it to his lips. 

Sir Count, I will he your servant, your slave, your crea- , 
ture. I will damn my soul for you and suffer the torture of per- 
petual flames if you will only give hack to me my wife and 
child! ” 

Master Court Painter,” said Schwarzenberg, parodying ; 
his words, I shall make you a rich and distinguished man. ‘ 
I shall send you to Italy, and you will enjoy the heavenly flres , 
of the Italian sky, if you will only bring me the sketch ordered, i 
and prove to me that you are in earnest as to its execution.” 

Gabriel Metzel laughed aloud in the joy of his heart. ' 

Your highness shall not have long to wait. I will very | 
soon have the sketch at your excellency’s disposal.” 

^^We shall see,” said the count, with a slight nod of his ! 


COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWARZENBEKG. I71 


head. And now that we have understood one another,, and 
you have somewhat recovered your reason, now for the last 
time I tell you, you are dismissed! ” 

Gabriel Metzel bowed low, and strode through the apart- 
ment toward the door of entrance, reverentially going back- 
ward that he might not turn his back upon the high-born, all- 
powerful count. He had almost reached the door, when it 
was opened and a valet appeared, who announced in a loud 
voice: 

His honor Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg! ” 

“My son! ” exclaimed the count. “He has returned? 
Where is he? .Where?” 

“ His honor has just gone to his apartments to divest him- 
self of his traveling clothes, but with your highness’s permis- 
sion he will be here in a few minutes.” 

“ Tell the count, that I expect him with impatience,” cried 
the father. The valet hurried out, and Gabriel Nietzel was in 
the act of following him, when Schwarzenberg called him 
back. 

“ Do not go out that way now,” he said; “ my son is com- 
ing, and it is not worth while for him to see you. Go through 
yonder door. It leads to a corridor, and there you will find a 
small staircase by which you can descend to the court. Go ! ” 


II. — Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg. 

“I THINK I have distressed and tormented him enough,” 
said the count to himself; “ he will devise some means of 
gratifying my wishes, and in his despair will risk everything 
in order to obtain his wife and child. It is well that men have 
hearts, for they supply the most convenient handles for seizing 
hold of them and managing them. And for that reason men 
without susceptible hearts always become rulers, conquerors. 
Therefore have I become great and powerful, and will ascend 
yet higher, grow yet more mighty, for I, thank God! I have 
no heart! I have never been a victim to the silly vagaries of 
12 


172 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


an enamored heart, never made a fool of myself for any woman; 
never have I felt my heart moved by any other desire than that |J 
of attaining a pre-eminent position and becoming a great man. !. 
Such I have become, but I would mount yet higher, and in this j 
—in this that enamored fool Gabriel Nietzel shall assist me.’^ | 

The count grew suddenly silent, and looked toward the i 
door. In the antechamber he had heard the sound of a voice 
familiar and grateful to his ears, a voice which awakened in ! i 
his breast a rare and unwonted feeling of joy and happiness. 

“ My son,” he murmured, “ yes, it is my son. I really be- 
lieve that I have a heart at last, for I feel it beat higher just 
now, and feel that it is a happiness to have a son! ” , 

He hastily crossed the room, and had almost reached the ; 
door, when it suddenly opened and revealed the presence of 
a tall and slender young man, dressed in the elegant Spanish | 
garb, such as was worn at the court of the German Emperor 
Ferdinand III. I 

“ Father, dear father! ” he cried, with a voice full of tender- 
ness, and with outstretched arms he sped toward his father to 
press him to his heart. Count Adam von Schwarzenberg smil- j; 
ingly submitted, and an infinite feeling of satisfaction pene- : 
trated his whole being under the warm pressure of his only ! 
son’s embrace. But only one short instant did he yield to 
this sensation, for he was ashamed of his weakness, and gently |, 
extricated himself from his son’s arms. 

Here you are again, you gadabout and rover! ” he said; j 
but he could not subdue the brighter glistening of his eyes, 1 
as they fastened themselves upon his son’s handsome, spirited, 
and youthful face. 

Yes, here I am again, cher et aimdble pere^'* exclaimed ' 
the young man, laughing; ‘‘but you do me great injustice | 
by calling me a gadabout and rover, for, indeed, I have only 
traveled on most serious and proper business, and it strikes 
me that I am vastly to be feared and honored in my capacity 1 
of imperial treasurer and member of the Aulic council.” | 

“ What? ” cried Count Adam joyfully, “ the Emperor has 
conferred upon you such a high favor and honored you with 1 
such lofty titles?” 

The young count nodded assent. “ In me he has honored ' 


COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWARZENBERG. 173 


my father’s son/’ said he, and distinguished me out of 
veneration and respect for you.” 

You are far too modest, my son,” cried the count, smil- 
ing. “ What the Emperor Ferdinand has done for you he did 
not for your father’s son, but in deference to your own merits.” 

Please, oh please, let us talk no more on the subject,” 
said the young man. You will not succeed in altering my 
opinion, especially as I had it from the exalted mouth of his 
Imperial Majesty himself, that he gladly distinguished the son 
of so noble, gifted, and faithful a servant as Count Adam 
Schwarzenherg had ever been to the imperial house, and in 
consideration thereof bestowed upon him the dignity of im- 
perial treasurer, and nominated him independently of individ- 
ual merit a member of the Aulic council. I beg you to observe, 
my noble and highly deserving count, that your son has fallen 
heir to his honors without individual merit, whence it natu- 
rally follows that I am a worthless treasurer, and wholly de- 
void of merit as a member of the Aulic council.” 

Well,” laughed his father, then I must console you with 
this, Adolphus, that you are besides that my coadjutor in my 
office of Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, and that 
I entertain the fixed determination of soon seeing you share 
with me the Stadtholdership of the Mark.” 

I assure you, I need no consolation whatever! ” cried 
Count Adolphus Schwarzenherg. I am your son, and that is 
as much as if I were the fair Danae, and had a shower of gold 
perpetually poured out upon me.” 

You would deceive me,” said Count Adam, gently shak- 
ing his head. You would have me believe that you are 
satisfied with being my son, and have no personal ambition for 
yourself.” 

It is no deception, cher 'pere^'‘ laughed the young man. 

I really do not give myself the trouble to have personal am- 
bition beforehand. I behold my much-loved father standing 
in the sunshine of renown, and I quite composedly allow a 
few stray beams from his splendor to alight upon myself. I 
would not say, though, that I am wholly devoid of ambition. I 
only avoid talking about it till the time comes.” 

^^My son, the time is come,” said Count Adam quickly. 


174 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


“ Yes, the time for ambition is come with you, too, and to-day 
we must discuss it at length. But first tell me what news do 
you bring me from Vienna? Come, let us sit down, and confei* 
with one another like two grave politicians and diplomatists.” 
He took his son’s arm and led him toward the divan. 

“ God forbid. Sir Stadtholder, that I, a mere tyro in 
diplomacy and politics, should venture to seat myself at your 
side,” cried Count Adolphus. No, father, I know my place, 
and you must indeed permit me to take my station at a rever- 
ential distance from you.” 

He took one of the little gold-emhroidered footstools 
which stood near the divan and seated himself opposite his 
father. Count Adam looked upon him with a proud yet gentle 
smile, and seemed to have his own pleasure in his son’s hand- 
some and imposing appearance. 

I should like to know whether you resemble me,” he said 
thoughtfully; I should like to know whether I was ever such 
a lively, jovial young man.” 

You are more than that, most respected father,” cried 
his son; you were handsome and possessed of irresistible 
attractions. I know that, for you are still so.” 

So, it seems that my son has learned to flatter at the im- 
perial court! ” 

“No, no; I speak the truth, and I swear that every one 
who has the good fortune to be admitted to your presence 
will confirm my testimony. You understand the art of fasci- 
nating men, and once let any one love you, then you can never 
be forgo ttten. The Emperor Ferdinand spoke of you with 
genuine admiration, and Princess Lohkowitz assured me that 
you were the only man whom she had ardently and truly loved. 
And yet they say that Princess Lohkowitz has had many ad- 
mirers and still has.” 

“Princess Lohkowitz!” repeated Count Adam thought- 
fully — “how fine that sounds, Princess Lohkowitz! Yet I 
well remember the time when Lohkowitz was quite a poor, in- 
considerable count, who esteemed himself peculiarly happy 
when I lent him some of my pocket money, which, by the 
bye, I never saw again. We were both at that time pages at 
the court of Emperor Ferdinand I, and swore eternal friend- 


COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWARZENBERG. 175 


ship. But how vain are such oaths! I afterward left the 
imperial court and came to the court of Cleves, and thence 
here to Prussia. I have restlessly labored, and may well say 
that I have wielded the helm of state in this country for 
twenty years, and — am still nothing hut plain Count Schwarz- 
enberg! The little, insignificant Count Lohkowitz, on the 
other hand, has now become a Prince through the Emperor’s 
favor, as have also Eggenberg, Liechtenstein, and Fiirsten- 
berg.” 

‘‘ You shall be a Prince, too, father,” said Count Adolphus 
softly. Yes, without doubt, you have only to hint your wish 
to receive the title of Prince, and the Emperor Ferdinand will 
gladly remunerate you in that way, if he first sees his own 
desires fulfilled through you.” 

The count started, and cast an inquisitive, questioning 
look upon his son. I thank you, Adolphus,” said he, you 
have led hack our conversation, or rather, my lord treasurer, 
our conference, to the subject in point, in a manner as tender 
as diplomatic. Yes, the question is, first of all, to learn what 
news you bring for me from his Majesty, and what orders the 
Emperor has to give me.” 

First of all, cher pere, the Emperor wishes that every 
possible obstruction be interposed to prevent the Electoral 
Prince’s marriage with the Princess of the Palatinate, and 
that, if practicable, the Electoral Prince be deterred from 
forming any matrimonial connection. It would greatly com- 
plicate affairs if the Electoral Prince should chance to have 
offspring soon, and thereby outwardly give more firmness 
and durability to the house of Brandenburg.” 

The count’s eyes flashed upon his son’s countenance, which 
still preserved its placid, innocent expression. Who told 
you that?” said he. ^MVho spoke such strange, mysterious 
words? Not the Emperor, no, he can not have said that! ” 

"No, but the Emperor’s most confidential adviser, mio 
padre amato^ the venerable father confessor and Jesuit, Signor 
Silvio. By the way, I regard him as a man turned serpent, 
and would avoid exposing a shoeless heel to him. But one 
thing is certain, that he has the Emperor’s ear not only in the 
confessional, but in the council chamber as well, and what he 


176 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


says is just as good as if the Emperor himself said it. For the 
rest, they affirm at the imperial court that he is a sorcerer, 
and can look through men’s eyes straight into their hearts 
and decipher what is therein as plainly and distinctly as if 
it was written on parchment in German text.” 

I believe it is so,” murmured the count. “ I believe 
he has read into my heart, too. But further, further, my son! 
What more did Father Silvio say to you? ” 

He spoke much of the weak and uncertain condition 
of the Electoral house of Brandenburg, which he said rested 
upon only two lives, and would be extinct if the Electoral 
Prince Frederick William should perish by a sudden death.” 

The count started, and a gray pallor overspread his face. 
His son, absorbed in his own discourse, observed it not and 
continued: “I ventured meanwhile to differ from the wise 
father, and reminded him that seven cousins and blood rela- 
tions were still in existence, to give permanence to the Elec- 
tor’s family, and thereby lessen very greatly the weakness 
of the Brandenburg-Hohenzollerns. But Father Silvio smiled 
almost compassionately at this remark of mine, and said 
in a tone of lofty superiority: ^ Young man, your father will 
he a better judge of this; only repeat my words to him: that 
the Emperor will not admit the claims of the collateral 
branches of the Electoral house, and if unfortunately the 
Electoral Prince of Brandenburg should die without descend- 
ants, he will consider the Electoral Mark as an unincumbered 
fief, which the Emperor of Germany, in the plenitude of his 
power and as an act of free grace, might bestow on another 
prince.’ ” 

Count Adam Schwarzenberg sprang up, and for a moment 
his eyes rested with a penetrating expression upon his son’s 
countenance. Then he turned and began to move violently 
to and fro. How it was his son’s turn to fix his eyes piercingly 
upon Mm. Wlien the count turned again, however, there 
was no trace of excitement visible on the young man’s counte- 
nance, and with a friendly smile he looked at his father. Count 
Adam stepped close up to him, and laid his hand on his son’s 
shoulder. 

You did not remind wise Father Silvio, then,” he asked. 


COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWA RZENBERG. I77 


that the Elector George William has, besides his son, two 
daughters? That there are two Electoral Princesses — Char- 
lotte Louise and the young Sophy Hedwig? ” 

“ No, father,’’ replied Count Adolphus carelessly, no, 
I did not. I deemed that superfluous, because in the Branden- 
burg Electoral house women have no right to the succession. 
The Salic law exists here, does it not? ” 

‘‘ As if laws could not be altered! ” cried Count Adam. 
“ As if the Emperor were not here to give new laws! My son, 
let us speak openly and candidly to one another, and answer 
me one question: On what terms are you with the Princess 
Charlotte Louise? ” 

The young man started, and for a moment a deep blush 
suffused his cheeks. • “ I do not understand you, father. What 
do you mean? On what terms should I be with the Princess? ” 
“ John Adolphus, you understand me well enough, and 
know what I mean,” returned Count Schwarzenberg smiling. 
‘AVhen I ask on what terms you are with the Princess 
Charlotte Louise, I mean by that, what progress have you made 
in her good graces? ” 

An almost imperceptible smile flitted across the young 
count’s visage. “ Well,” he said, the ladies of the Electoral 
house have ever been most condescending in their manner 
to me, Princess Charlotte Louise no less than her mother and 
sister, and, as I have done nothing to forfeit their favor, I hope 
that upon my return they will receive me as graciously as they 
dismissed me before I left home.” 

“ My son,” said Count Adam seriously, you answer me 
evasively, and that is not well. We two are made to support 
each other, and to go hand in hand in the difficult path which 
lies before us. For you know as well as I do that our safety 
is imperiled when the Electoral Prince again makes his appear- 
ance at court, and we will henceforth find many stones of 
stumbling in our way.” 

But my wise and puissant father will remove all such 
obstructions,” cried the son, with a merry laugh. Let the 
Electoral Prince throw ever so many stones in our way, we 
can pick them up, and your honor will find opportunity to hurl 
them back at the little Prince, the last scion of his house.” 


178 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


I shall find opportunity, and, by heavens, I will make | 

use of it.” . 1 

‘‘ And if my gracious father can or will make use of me in ; 
picking up the stones, or maybe in throwing them, I am most | 
heartily at his service. Your honor needs only to direct. I ! 
shall aim well, and hope to hit the mark.” ^ ! 

‘'My son, verily, you are a great diplomatist,” cried 
Schwarzenherg, “ and many an one who esteems himself an old 
adept in this art might take lessons from you. How cleverly 
you managed to evade the question I put to you, and lead the 
conversation into a different channel! But I must recur to my ^ 
question, and, since you will throw stones subject to my direc- 
tion, then, my son, I tell you that your relations with the j 
Princess Charlotte Louise may become a most effective mis- 
sile against the Electoral Prince, which, if you aim it accurate- | 
ly, may inflict a deadly blow upon the Prince. Therefore, my | 
fine son, answer my question honestly: On what terms are 1 
you with the Princess Charlotte Louise? ” 

A cloud of displeasure flitted across the young counPs lofty | 
and open brow, and his cheerful countenance became over- I. 
shadowed with gloom. | 

“ My God! ” he said, “ what on earth has the Princess to ; 
do with politics?” ■ 

“ A great deal, my son. Let me remind you of Father |, 
Silvio’s words, which you yourself reported to me. The father 
had me informed that in case of the Electoral Prince’s dying j 
without heirs, his Majesty would not recognize the claims of | 
the other branches of the house of Brandenburg, hut would ! 
consider the Electoral Mark as a vacant fief, which he might 
bestow elsewhere as matter of favor. The simplest and most j 

natural thing will he, if there is no longer any son living, to | 

pass the right of succession to the daughter, and for the Em- ' 
peror to declare the eldest daughter of the Elector George | 
William rightful successor, and to transmit the Electoral | 
Mark Brandenburg to herself and her husband as an act of | 
grace.” 

“ Those are very great and very far-seeing plans,” mur- 
mured the young man, with downcast e 3 ^es. 

“ But plans which may he realized,” interposed his father 


COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWARZENBERO. 179 


hastily — “ plans which you have very maturely weighed in 
your prudent brain, for — I shall answer my own question my- 
self — for you are on very good terms with Princess Charlotte 
Louise. You have calculated very wisely and very correctly. 
The Princess loves you, and may bring you an electorship as 
a bridal gift.’^ 

God forbid that I should play a criminal game with the 
Princess’s heart! ” cried Count Adolphus, in tones louder and 
more energetic than he had yet employed. You accuse me 
falsely, most gracious sir. It has never come into my mind 
to speculate on such a bridal gift, or to make of love a calcula- 
tion.” 

Count Adam gazed with an expression of painful astonish- 
ment upon the excited countenance of his son. Unhappy 
hoy, you love the Princess, then ? ” he asked. 

Yes,” exclaimed the young man vehemently — yes, 
I love her! I should love her were she a simple village maiden. 
I should seek to win her were she of obscure and humble 
parentage, if she could present me with nothing hut her heart, 
her affectionate nature, her charming self. Learn now, father, 
on what terms I stand with the Princess: I love her, love 
her passionately! ” 

“ Ah, my son, how well this enthusiasm becomes you! ” 
said his father. How happy the Princess would be if she 
could see you with those fiery glances flashing from your 
large bright eyes! My son, you will surpass me, for you have 
one great advantage over me, you have received from Nature 
a glorious endowment denied to me; you have a tender heart! 
You either feel glowing love or — maybe simulate, and act 
it to the life! We will not discuss this further; I only repeat 
it, you are destined to surpass me. You love the Princess 
Charlotte Louise! I thank you for this one confession, hut 
add to it a second, Adolphus. Tell me whether the Princess 
returns your love?” 

I have not ventured to put this question to her,” replied 
Count Adolphus, with downcast eyes. “ The Princess is so 
high above me, is so pure and virtuous, that it would he a sin 
to tempt her innocence and virtue by the avowal of an unsaiic- 
tioned love! ” 


180 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


My son! ” exclaimed the count, smiling, you are a pat- 
tern of discretion and modesty. You amaze, you delight me. 
You have not ventured, and will not venture to declare your 
love to the Princess? ” 

No, father, at least, not so long as it is an unsanctioned 
love — so long as I do not know whether it has your approval, 
and through you the Elector’s.” 

“ You would step surely, you would engage in no under- 
taking that does not promise good results! Ah, I understand 
now — I comprehend all now. I have an irresistible desire to 
embrace you, and I know you will pardon your father for this 
one ebullition of tenderness. Come to my heart, my great, 
my admirable son!” 

He flung his arms around his son’s neck and imprinted 
a warm kiss upon his lips. 

“ Count J ohn Adolphus Schwarzenberg,” he said then, 
with this kiss I give you my consent to woo the Princess 
Charlotte Louise! With this kiss I promise so to work upon 
and bend the Elector’s heart, that he will give you the Prin- 
cess’s hand, and agree to your union.” 

My dear father, you open indeed to me the gate of para- 
dise. But this gate has two wings, and if I would gain admit- 
tance, both wings must open to me.” 

Oh, you mean the Electress? She will certainly be very 
much opposed to such a union, for she has a proud and willful 
heart, over which no one has any influence except the Electoral 
Prince, and he, indeed, will not use his influence in our be- 
half. Well, there is nothing for it but to oppose force to force, 
and to constrain the dear lady to give her consent. To employ 
such coercive measures is your affair, my son! ” 

You empower me to do so, father? You will not refuse 
me your support? You will not disavow my acts? ” 

I empower you to do everything you think needful, and 
you will find me a faithful ally, for I recognize jo)dully in 
you my trusty coadjutor, and see that we may count upon each 
other.” 

I shall ever esteem it a sacred and delightful duty to obey 
you, my much-loved father, and I shall joyfully hold myself 
ready to carry out your wishes.” 


COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWA HZENBERG. 181 

And you will do well in this, my son,” said Count Adam 
Schwarzenberg, with a hearty pressure of the hand. “ All 
that I do for myself is also done for you, all that I obtain is 
for your profit and advantage. You are my heir, to you 
will descend all my earthly possessions, my name, my renown, 
my dignities and offices, my money and estates.” 

Cher cried the young man, “ let us not speak of 

such solemn things. I hope that it will be a long time yet 
ere 1 enter upon that great and sad inheritance.” 

I hope so, too,” said Count Adam, with animation of 
manner. I would leave you all in perfect condition, and to 
effect this much labor is yet required. I have set myself a 
mighty task, and it is yet far from its accomplishment.” 

And yet you have already conducted and executed mat- 
ters so grandly, so admirably, father! You have no idea 
with what rapture they think of you and your performances 
at the imperial court. Emperor Ferdinand spoke of you as 
his most trusted and beloved servant, and Father Silvio called 
you a lamp of the faith and a faithful son of the Church, 
through whom many will yet be saved.” 

Yes, many shall yet be brought within the ark of safety 
by my means! ” cried Count Adam, in a lively manner. I 
know what I purpose, I know the great aims after which I 
have striven for twenty years with intrepid spirit, with ardor 
never to be chilled. My son, with you I make no secret of my 
aims, and you must know them, that you may stand unflinch- 
ing at my side. It is true, I am ambitious. I thirst for fame; 
it is true, I have labored for myself and forwarded my own 
personal interests as much as I could. My aims, however, 
are not restricted to these private interests, they are higher, 
nobler! I am the faithful servant and subject of my Emperor 
and lord; I am the believing and zealous son of our holy 
Church. To the Emperor and the Church belong the fruits 
of my striving and my energy, and to promote the greatness 
and consideration of both is the ultimate object of all my 
labors and all my schemes.” 

“ And I, most gracious father, will take my station firmly 
at your side,” said Count Adolphus fervently. ^^You will 
ever find in me an attentive pupil, eager to learn.” 


182 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


have both a great mission to fulfill/^ exclaimed 
Count Adam, and it is well for us sometimes to place this 
clearly before our eyes, in order to be ever mindful of it, and 
never to forget it even in the pursuance of private ends. You, 
too, remember this, my son, and act accordingly. To the Em- 
peror and the Church be all our services dedicated! To render 
the Emperor great and mighty, to strengthen his considera- 
tion throughout the German Empire, is and shall be my aim 
as a statesman. To extend continually the power and domin- 
ion of the Catholic religion is and shall be my task as a Chris- 
tian, as a son of the Church, within whose pale alone is salva- 
tion. God himself has chosen me for his tool, else how would 
it have been possible that the bigoted, reformed Elector should 
have selected me for his first and mightiest minister? God 
wills that through me the infiuence of the Holy Homan See 
and the German Emperor be promoted and advanced; there- 
fore has he caused me, the subject of the Emperor, an Aus- 
trian born, to become the servant of the Elector of Branden- 
burg. But the servant has become master, and the Catholic 
Austrian is Stadtholder in the Mark, the almighty minister 
in the land of the heretic. It is so, because through him this 
land is to be led back to the true faith and the Emperor, be- 
cause through him is to be re-established the endangered su- 
premacy of the Emperor of Germany! The Protestant Elec- 
tors would have exalted themselyes against the power of Em- 
peror and empire; with the help of the Swedes they would 
have cut up the Holy Roman Empire into a number of free, 
independent States, great and small, where Protestants, Re- 
formers, and Lutherans would have enjoyed as great consid- 
eration as the Catholics, and over which the Emperor would no 
longer have exercised control. The Protestant Elector of the 
Palatinate was to have been changed into a King, waving his 
scepter over Catholic Bohemia, and in place of the little 
Elector of Brandenburg was to have arisen a mighty Prince, 
who was to have broken the power of the German Emperor in 
the north, and become the chief and center of Protestant Ger- 
many! To that end were they leagued with the Swedes, to 
that end was King Gustavus Adolphus to have furnished help 
to his cousins and brothers-in-law. But the fates were against 


COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWARZENBERG. 183 


them! In the battle of the White Mountain the Count Pala- 
tine lost his Bohemian throne, in the battle of Lutzen the 
Swedish King his life, and in the peace of Prague the Swedes 
and other enemies of the Emperor a powerful ally in the 
Elector of Brandenburg! It was I who alienated the Elector 
from the Swedes, who made him again the obedient vassal of 
his Emperor and Sovereign. And it shall he I who will make 
the Mark Brandenburg imperialist again! Eor the limbs ac- 
commodate themselves to the head, and if the Prince acknowl- 
edges himself a professed Catholic, his subjects will soon 
follow suit.'’’ 

What! most gracious father, is it possible that the Elector 
George William ” 

Hush, hush, my son! who says anything about the 
Elector George William? Who thinks of the decaying tree, 
which can no longer hear fruit, when he beholds at its side a 
young, vigorous tree laden with blossoms, rich for future 
harvests? My son, I herewith give you my consent to 
woo the love of the Princess Charlotte Louise, hut I make 
one condition which you must solemnly swear to respect: 
none hut a Catholic becomes the wife of my son John Adol- 
phus.” 

“ None but a Catholic becomes my wife! ” cried the 
young count. I solemnly give you my oath to that effect, 
father.” 

And you actually suppose that the Emperor will bestow 
upon me the same favor he has conferred upon Fiirstenherg, 
Lohkowitz, and Liechtenstein ? ” 

^^I am empowered to promise it prospectively, most 
gracious sir. The house of Austria is grateful, and forgets 
not that already your father before you rendered her impor- 
tant services, attending the Emperor with credit in his wars 
against the Turks; that you yourself have been through a whole 
lifetime true and unswerving in your fidelity to the Emperor’s 
service; that the Stadtholder in the Mark, and the Grand Mas- 
ter of the Order of St. John has been ever mindful of his 
duty to the Emperor.” 

I must and shall he ever called a good Imperialist,” cried 
the count warmly, and prefer the Emperor’s to the Elector’s 


184 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


service.* Bethlen Gabor, Prince of Hungary, has well said 
that the Elector and I are upon one ship, and that my fortune 
depends upon the Elector’s fortune; but he shall be proved to 
have been in error, and we prefer making our voyage in our 
own little bark to take passage in the Electoral ship.” 

“ Yes, father, that shall we! ” cried the young count joy- 
fully. “You sit at the helm and give management and 
direction to the boat. For my part, I shall so hoist and un- 
furl the sails that we catch the breeze and bound swiftly for- 
Avard! ” 

Do so, my son, and always heed the wind as it blows 
across from the apartments of the Electress and her princesses, 
as well as from the robber nests and dens of the squires and 
waylayers of the Mark, and from the fortresses and garrisons. 
We, too, my son, voyage together in the same boat; I am the 
pilot, you unfurl the sails, and upon our flag in mysterious and 
invisible colors is inscribed this device: Good Imperialists, 
good Catholics! ” 

Yes, good Imperialists and good Catholics,” replied the 
young count energetically. "" But, dearest father, let us add 
besides, quite softly, good Schwarzenbergians! ” 

“ Yes, my son, that will we. For, in addition to those great 
and holy interests, to keep one’s own interests a little in view 
is manly and justifiable. My heavens! life would have been 
perfectly hateful and abominable in this dirty, cheerless Ber- 
lin if we had not seen above us a glittering star, to which 
we could look up when all was so dismal here below, which 
shone upon our path and cheered us when we feared to sink 
in the mud and mire. This star, my son, do you know its 
name ? ” 

‘ Its name is Fame, its name is Love, cher joere.’’ 

'' Well, for the sake' of fame I will put up with love, foolish 
dreamer. You may bring it on board our boat as ballast. But 
if a storm should come and necessity impel, we shall throw our 
ballast overboard.” 

Dear father, if you do that, you will throw overboard 
likewise my happiness and life! ” exclaimed Count Adolphus 

* Count Adam Sehwarzenberg’s own words. Yide Droysen, History 
of the Prussian Policy, vol. iii, part 1, p. 35. 


COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWARZENBERG. 185 

warmly. ‘‘ If you call love ballast, then forget not, father, 
that in this ballast your son’s heart is included.” 

Enamored fool, you really have a heart? Do you believe 

so?” 

“ I believe so, most noble father, because I feel it, be- 
cause 

A hasty knock, thrice repeated, at the door of the ante- 
chamber interrupted him, and in obedience to the Stadt- 
holder’s summons, the lackey Balthasar hurriedly entered. 

Most gracious sir,” he said, it is a courier from the Com- 
mandant von Rochow at Spandow, who desires to speak with 
your lordship on most urgent business.” 

“ I am going, most gracious father, I am going,” cried the 
young count, speedily rising. I can no longer lay claim to 
the Stadtholder’s precious time.” 

And you have very important affairs of your own to at- 
tend to, have you not? ” asked his father. You have been 
long enough diplomatist and politician, and that curious thing, 
whose possession you boast, the heart, will now. assert its 
rights? ” 

The young man laughed and pressed the count’s extended 
hand tenderly to his lips. Then he nodded once more affec- 
tionately to his father, and bounded lightly through the room 
to the side door, through which he vanished. Count Adam 
Schwarzenberg looked thoughtfully after his son. “ Strange! ” 
he murmured. Is he acting a comedy, or is it truth? Does 
he prudently pretend to have a heart, or has he one in reality? 
Well, never mind. The courier from Spandow! ” 

In answer to the count’s loud call a huntsman in dirty, 
dusty uniform made his appearance from the antechamber, 
and, making a military salute, remained standing near the 
door. 

What news have you for me? ” asked Count Schwarzen- 
berg, striding toward him. Where are your letters and dis- 
patches?” 

I crave pardon, your excellency, but I have no letters 
or dispatches. The Commandant von Eochow sent me with a 
verbal message, and entreats forgiveness in that haste allowed 
him no time for writing. I have only to announce that. 


186 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


even at the instant of my departure, the Electoral Prince was 
making his solemn entry into Spandow. All ranks and condi- 
tions of people from the region round about had joined the 
Electoral Prince, and followed him, in carriages, on horse- 
back, and on foot. The commandant was greatly amazed 
to witness so much pomp, and hastened to array himself in 
parade uniform in order to go and meet the Electoral Prince 
with his corps of officers.” 

That is all you have to communicate to me? ” 

^^All, your excellency.” 

Then ride back again, and return to the commandant my 
warmest thanks for his welcome message.” 

Yes,” repeated the count, when the courier had taken 

leave, yes, this is a welcome message and by ! I shall 

derive profit from it.” 

Ho, Balthasar, Balthasar! Is the commander of police 
in the antechamber? ” 

Your highness, he has been there an hour already.” 

Bid him come in. There you are. Master Brandt! Well, 
listen! Send all your secret friends and emissaries through 
the city, privately inform the citizens, the magistrates, the 
merchants, the whole inhabitants in a body, that the Electoral 
Prince will arrive here in from three to four hours, and that 
it would surely be a right great pleasure to the Elector and his 
wife if they would prepare him a public reception, and go a 
little way on the road to meet him. Say, moreover, that it 
would assuredly prepare a very great joy for the Electoral 
Prince if they would illuminate the city this evening, and if 
this were done voluntarily, and without suggestion, the Elec- 
toral Prince would be forced to admit how very glad the 
people of Berlin are to welcome him, and how much they hope 
for from his return. Excite the populace properly, that their 
houses be brightly illuminated, and that they may give great 
demonstrations of joy. Dispatch your agents everywhere, 
and show me to-day for once that you know how to execute 
my orders punctually, and are a worthy successor of my dear, 
recently deceased Dietrich, your predecessor in office.” 

Your excellency, I shall do all that lies in my power, and 
I doubt not but that I shall succeed in deserving your honor’s 


COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWARZENBERG. 187 


approbation. I only venture to remark, that many of the 
citizens will find it exceedingly difficult to procure the candles 
or lamps needed for the illumination, for the poverty and dis- 
tress are very great, and it would perhaps be well to aid the 
people and furnish them with the candles for illuminating.” 

Do so. Master Brandt,” cried the count, smiling. I 
fully empower you to purchase tallow candles for distribution, 
to the amount of a hundred dollars; only, take care that the 
people actually light and burn them up, and do not consume 
them as dainties these hard times. And one thing more, 
Brandt! It would be pleasant to me if you would excite a 
few people against me and his highness the Elector, while you 
tell them various bad things about me, and attribute it as a 
crime to the Elector that he is so devoted to me. You might 
then urge on to the palace such people as you have stirred up 
and goaded, so that, as soon as the Electoral Prince arrives, 
they might shout with loud distinct voices: ^ Long live the 
Electoral Prince! Long live our savior and deliverer! Down 
with the Catholics. Away with Schwarzenberg!.’ You can 
at least persuade ten or fifteen to do this, and promise them 
that they shall have money to buy a good drink if they shout 
right loudly and clearly. Well, why do you smile so all of a 
sudden, man? ” 

Pardon me, your highness, but when I entered upon my 
office, four weeks ago, your excellency urged it upon me as 
a stringent duty to report truly to your honor, not only what 
happens, but what is the mood of the people here. Does this 
command always have validity, your excellency? ” 

It has validity for the whole term of your service. Mas- 
ter Brandt, or, rather, you will only remain chief of police so 
long as I am convinced that you always report to me the 
full truth in all things, without reserve. Speak! What 
would you say ? ” 

^^Your highness, I would only say that it is not neces- 
sary to stir up the people to give utterance to such infamous 
and disrespectful outcries against your excellency. They will 
do so of their own accord, and if I should not pick up the first 
who raised such a cry, have him arrested, and carried off, 
then immediately would twenty fellows be found, without 
13 


188 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


any prompting from me, to shout exactly the words which 
your excellency would gladly hear.’^ 

You mean the words: ‘ Away with the Catholics! Down 
with Schwarzenherg ’ ? 

beg your honor’s pardon, but those are the words I 

mean.” 

The count laughed clearly. '' Well,” he said, so much 
the better! We will be spared then some trouble and expense, 
which is always a very pleasant thing. But hear. Sir Master 
of Police! If we let the fellows shout to-da}^ it does not 
follow that we shall not administer fitting punishment to- 
morrow. Mark the shouters very narrowly, and to-morrow, 
when the merriment is over, have them arrested and thrust 
into prison for a couple of weeks! ” 

The chief of police shrugged his shoulders. crave 
pardon, your excellency; that is no punishment for the rab- 
ble in these days. They are glad when they are put away at 
Oxenhead, or here in the castle prison, receiving food and 
lodgings free of cost, and many a one, who formerly lived in 
honor and affiuence, would to-day be gladly found guilty of 
some fault, for the sake of being arrested and supported in 
prison at the expense of the state.” 

^^Well, then we will not gratify the shouting mob by 
punishing them with imprisonment, but cause the jailer to 
administer a sound cudgeling to each one of them, and then 
let the fellows go again. Make good speed now, Brandt, for 
I expect the Electoral Prince here in a few hours, and if the 
people are not properly notified, he will make his entry before 
they have taken off their rags and donned their holiday attire. 
Make haste, and let us have this evening a right brilliant 
illumination. Farewell, Master Brandt! ” 

The chief of police departed, and by a loud whistle 
Schwarzenherg called the lackey to him. 

One of the grooms must take horse,” was his command. 

He must ride out on the road to Spandow about a quarter 
of a mile. There he is to halt, and wait until the Electoral 
Prince arrives with his attendants. As soon as he has seen him, 
he is to come back at full speed and make the announcement 
to me.” 


THE HOME-COMING. 


1S9 


" AH necessary preliminaries are arranged,’’ said Schwarz- 
enberg, when he found himself again alone. “ Now let the 
Electoral Prince come on, we are ready to receive him. There 
wiU he a hard struggle, hut I have been victorious over aU my 
enemies for twenty years, and shall probably conquer the 
httle Electoral Prince too! Now a hurried toilet, and then 
to the Elector, to open the skirmish in his neighborhood! 
Ah, we shall see, my young Prince! For you shouts the rabble 
of BerUn, for me speaks the Elector! We shall see which of us 
two has built upon the sand! ” 


m. — ^T he Home-coming. 

“ May I he so bold as to come in, most noble sir? ” asked 
Count Schwarzenberg, as he opened the door leading into 
the Electoral cabinet and thrust in his head, encircled by a 
hundred beautifuUy arranged curls. 

“ Behold, there is Adam Schwarzenberg! ” cried Elector 
George William, wheeling his chair from the writing table. 
" Why do you ask, count, since you know that you are always 
privileged to enter unannounced? Come closer, and be 
heartily welcome! ” 

And the Elector leaned both his arms upon the wooden 
aims of his chair, makin g an effort to rise. But the count 
was at his side in a moment, gently forcing him back into 
his seat, while at the same time he half bent one knee and im- 
printed a kiss upon the Elector’s right hand. 

"If your grace treats me with such formality, and rises 
on my account, then I must believe that you love me no 
longer,” he said, with soft, insinuating voice. " But you well 
know, beloved master, that I could not live without your 
love, and that existence itself would seem gloomy and dark 
to me if the star of your favor and love should c-ease to shine 
upon it.” 

"Live, my Adam, live merrily, then, and joyously, for 
you well know that I love you,” replied George WiUiam, nod- 


190 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


ding to the count in most friendly manner. And how could 
it be otherwise, when I know that I can depend upon your 
love, and that you are the only one truly interested in my not 
being called away yet awhile, and in having me tarry a little 
longer upon earth. Come, my friend, sit down. Draw up your 
armchair close to my side — no, opposite to me, that I may 
look at you. I love dearly to behold your handsome, noble 
face, and then console myself with the thought that, after 
all, the Elector of Brandenburg can not be such a pitiful little 
Prince, since such a proud, distinguished lord as Count 
Schwarzenberg is his minister.’^ 

Say his servant, his slave, his humble subject, most gra- 
cious sir! Yes, look at me, my much-loved master, and read 
in my countenance that I am devoted to you with my whole 
heart and soul. Ah! who knows how much longer you will 
read that in my face, and how soon it may come to pass that 
poor Adam Schwarzenberg will be thrust aside and no longer 
find a place in your heart! Oh, dearest sir, when I think of 
that, I feel perfectly wretched and inconsolable, and I would 
rather hide my head and weep and mourn, than go smilingly 
to meet the joyful countenance of him who will come to sup- 
plant me in your affections! ” 

Nobody shall do that, Adam, and I know not, indeed, 
who could be bold enough even to attempt it.’’ 

Most gracious sir, the Electoral Prince will attempt it! 
He who, when a mere little child, was my opponent. He, who 
has been brought up by his mother and other relatives to mis- 
trust me. He will grudge me the smallest place in his father’s 
heart, and will do everything to contest it with me! ” 

“ But he will not succeed, be assured of that, my Adam, 
he will not succeed in it. I only know too well that in you I 
have a faithful, devoted servant, in the Electoral Prince a 
rebellious and refractory son; that with you all is bound up 
in my life; with him all in my death! ” 

Oh, no, your highness, no, it is impossible that the Elec- 
toral Prince could be so heartless and degenerate as to wish 
for his father’s death. No, I must take the part of the Elec- 
toral Prince against you. You accuse him falsely, most gra- 
cious sir; he surely loves you, and it is only his ambition and 


THE HOME-COMING. 


191 


youthful arrogance that sometimes lead him to do what is 
not right, and what surely he would not do if he only reflected 
better. Out of youthful presumption he undertook, despite 
your commands to the contrary, to remain longer at The 
Hague, and even to send back the Chamberlain von Schlieben, 
whom you had dispatched to him with strict orders to bring 
him home. And only his stormy, boundless ambition is at 
fault now in inducing him to appear here in rather an unbe- 
coming manner. But you must not be angry with him for 
it, dear sir, and on that very account have I come to you to- 
day, to beg and implore you most earnestly not to admit any 
feelings of resentment into your mind this day, which is to 
restore to you the Electoral Prince.^’ 

He is coming, then, at last? ” cried the Elector, breath- 
ing again. “ He has Anally had the goodness to heed our oft- 
repeated commands, and condescended to return home? But 
this return is, as I feel, likely enough to prepare renewed 
vexation for me, and in your magnanimity you come to me 
only to sweeten a little the pill which my son ‘gives me to 
swallow. Speak out openly, Adam, and keep back nothing! 
What is it? What has the Electoral Prince done? ’’ 

Oh, your highness, I am convinced that he means noth- 
ing bad, and has no design of vexing you. He naturally re- 
joices greatly on his return to his future dominions, and con- 
sequently enjoys the congratulations of his future subjects, 
and gladly allows them to receive him with demonstrations 
of delight.” 

Do they so, his future subjects?” inquired the Elector, 
and his hands, swollen by gout, grasped convulsively the arms 
of his easychair. Do they welcome him with rejoicings as 
their future sovereign?” 

Yes, most gracious sir, it is plainly to be seen how closely 
the people cling to the electoral house of Hohenzollern, and 
how they sympathize in every fortunate event occurring in 
that family. From the moment that the Electoral Prince 
crossed the boundaries of the Mark, the inhabitants of 
every village and town have joyfully poured forth to meet 
him; his journey is a genuine triumphal procession, and the 
reigning Sovereign of the country could not be received 


192 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


with more honor and delight than is the young Electoral 
Prince! ” 

‘‘ Me, their reigning Sovereign, me, they did not receive 
with rejoicings,” exclaimed the Elector, whose face grew crim- 
son with excitement and passion. My journey was anything 
but a triumphal procession, resembling much more a funeral, 
so quiet and still was everything on my way. Nowhere did I 
hear a joyful welcome, nowhere did the people come forth 
to meet me, and as at Kdnigsberg they permitted me to depart 
without greeting or acclamation, so here at Berlin they al- 
lowed me to enter without a sign of welcome or congratula- 
tion. I will now confess to you alone that I was much morti- 
fied by this, although I did not complain of it. I comforted 
myself by reflecting that the times were bad and depressing, 
and that in their afflictions the people could not even present 
a glad, cheerful countenance to the father of their country. 
But now it falls to my lot to hear that they can make merry 
and rejoice, and that they have only saved up the joy in their 
hearts to bestow it upon the return home of my son and 
heir.” 

Pardon, your highness, but I believe that we accuse the 
poor people wrongfully if we imagine that they are now act- 
ing thus of their own free motion, when they were so quiet 
on the arrival of their beloved Sovereign. No, the poor, un- 
happy people would have been equally silent at this time if 
they had not been stirred up to make noisy demonstrations 
of joy, if they had not been paid for it. It is otherwise wholly 
incredible and not to be thought of that the populace should 
have prepared such a triumph for the young home-returning 
lord. It is plainly to be seen that all has been settled and ar- 
ranged beforehand. For it is not merely the offscourings of 
the streets, but burghers, magistrates, and officials, who have 
extended a welcome to the Electoral Prince. At Spandow, 
for example, all the citizens, with the magistracy at their head, 
issued from the town to pay their respects to him — yes, even 
Commandant von Eochow has found it necessary to join in 
the universal rejoicings, and has ridden out with his officers 
in their dress uniforms to do honor to the Prince’s arrival. 
Here at Berlin, too, your own residence, all is uproar and ex- 


THE HOME-COMING. 


193 


citement. They are putting on their holiday suits, and mak- 
ing ready to meet the Electoral Prince. That proves quite 
clearly that his speedy approach to the city has been already 
announced to the citizens, and communicated to the magis- 
ti'ates even before any tidings of the sort had reached your 
highness or myself, the Stadtholder in the Mark. For as soon 
as I obtained this intimation from Colonel von Eochow, I 
hastened hither to bring to your highness the glad news of 
your son’s return home, and on the way I was stopped by whole 
crowds of festive men and women hastening to the suburb 
Spandow, to plant themselves near the Pomegranate Bridge 
and along the meadow dike.* Indeed, it strikes me that I 
even saw some gentlemen of municipal authority going the 
same way in full official dress.” 

^‘And you suffered this?” asked the Elector angrily. 

You allowed them to prepare such an insult and affront as 
to do for the son what they have not found needful to do for 
the father? But I will not bear it; I shall not be humiliated 
by my own son. You are the Stadtholder in the Mark, you 
must provide against their offering me any cause of vexation. 
Send out your officers. Sir Stadtholder, to clear the streets of 
this gaping multitude, send the magistrates home, and order 
the people to remain quietly within their houses, to do their 
work and not to lounge about the streets.” 

‘^My much-loved lord and Elector, I sue for a favor in 
behalf of your most faithful servant, your poor Adam. I beg 
you out of consideration for me to retract these stringent 
orders, for I should be ruined if I were to execute them. 
Throughout the whole Mark, yea, throughout all Germany, 
they would raise the cry of murder against me, would every- 
where blazon it, that Count Schwarzenberg is so inimically 
disposed toward the Electoral Prince that he would not even 
grant him an honorable reception on his return home after 
an absence of three years. Oh, most gracious sir, you will not 

* Old Berlin extended no farther than the palace. Behind this was 
the park, and this was bounded by the walls of the citadel, with the moat 
beyond. The whole of Borotheatown was then the electoral garden and 
arable land, which, however, lay uncultivated. Vide Nicolai, Description 
of Berlin and Potsdam, vol. i, pp. 33, 157. 


194 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


increase yet more the number of my enemies and opposers, 
you will not excite public opinion yet more against me, and 
render it more favorably disposed to the Electoral Prince! 
If we now forcibly restrain these testimonials of pleasure on 
the part of the people, then will it be said that I misuse my 
power and am jealous of the Electoral Prince; that I am seek- 
ing to thrust him aside from his exalted position. If, on the 
other hand, it is seen how joyfully I acquiesce in the Electoral 
Prince’s reception with acclamations everywhere, then will 
they he forced to acknowledge that it is not I who meet the 
young Prince with hatred, but that I willingly concede to him 
all honors and triumphs.” 

^^It is true,” muttered the Elector, ^^they would surely 
suspect and accuse you, and it would not mend matters to 
say that I myself gave orders that the Electoral Prince he 
allowed to come home quietly.” 

God forbid that such a thing should be said! ” cried 
Schwarzenberg. “ No, rather let the whole world censure and 
condemn me — rather let it he said that I have acted as the 
spiteful and unworthy enemy of the Electoral Prince — than 
that they should dare even to cast one shadow upon my be- 
loved master’s heart. What matters it that they calumniate 
me, if they only venture not to attack and suspect your high- 
ness? ” 

They shall not slander and suspect you, my Adam,” said 
the Elector, offering him his hand. For your sake let us 
suffer the Electoral Prince to come hither in triumph. But 
we will remember it against him, and our love for him will 
not he thereby increased.” 

Yet I entreat your highness to receive your son kindly 
and graciously,” pleaded Schwarzenberg with insinuating 
voice. It is better, your highness, to try to chain him to 
you by goodness and love than by strictness and severity to 
repel him yet more, and force him to join the party of your 
opponents. It is a great and powerful party, and I well know 
that it is their plan to place the Electoral Prince at their 
head, and through him to attain their ends.” 

And what are their ends? ” asked the Elector, with low- 
ering brow. 


THE HOME-COMING. 


195 


The count bent over closer to his ear, as if he feared letting 
even the walls hear what he had to say. 

“ Their ends are a transference of the government, and 
when this is elfected a revolt from Emperor and empire, and 
a league with the Swedes and all Protestant German princes 
against Emperor and empire.” 

The transference of the government? That means an 
insurrection, a revolution. They would hurl me from my 
throne and ensconce my son there? ” 

They hope that in your distress you will do, gracious 
sir, what your blessed father did.” 

‘^Abdicate!” cried the Elector angrily. “Abdicate in 
favor of my son? ” 

“ In favor of the Electoral Prince, who has grown up in 
Holland to become a promising Prince, a general of the fu- 
ture, a brilliant leader of the Protestant Church, and of 
whom his followers say that he will be a second Gustavus 
Adolphus! ” 

“ A second plague — a second source of danger to myself! ” 
screamed the Elector, striking with his clinched fist upon the 
arm of his chair. “ It was not enough that my brother-in- 
law Gustavus Adolphus brought me into trouble and distress, 
and caused the Emperor’s wrath to flame forth against me, 
so that I was really afraid that I would share the fate of my 
cousin the Margrave of Jagerndorf, whom the Emperor put 
under his ban, declaring that he had forfeited his margraviate, 
and giving it over as a feudal tenure to Prince Liechstenstein! 
I was only saved then from a like terrible fate by your inter- 
cession and fidelity! It was you who, by your address and 
eloquence, softened the Emperor’s resentment against me, 
induced him to pardon me, and afterward brought about the 
peace of Prague, which reconciled the Emperor to me. Yet 
it was not enough to have gone through those times of anxiety 
and distress, they must he now renewed through my only son! 
In him am I to find a second Gustavus Adolphus, to plunge 
me into new perils and bring down upon me the Emperor’s 
avenging wrath? But it shall not he — I solemnly swear, it 
shall not he! I will not involve my land in new dangers and 
calamities of war. I will not depart from my neutrality. I 


196 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


will have peace — peace with the Emperor, peace for my poor 
people, and for their unhappy Prince! But I shall not act 
as my father did, and prepare a pleasure for my son by re- 
signing sovereignty and rule in my lifetime and becoming 
the servant and subject of my own son! Before me shall he 
how — me shall he acknowledge to he his lord so long as I live, 
and never while I breathe shall I cease to lay to his charge 
these hours of pain and vexation. I am Elector and ruler, and 
he is nothing further than my son and subject, my suc- 
cessor when I die, hut not my coregent while I live! Count 
Adam Schwarzenherg, I charge you to stand courageously 
at my side, to remain zealous in my service, and to direct your 
attention especially to unraveling all the arts and wiles, the 
plots and schemes of my son and his abettors; to give me 
always information on these points, to keep nothing in the 
background, and not to conceal anything from me merely to 
save me from vexation. Will you promise and swear so to 
manage and act, my Adam? ’’ 

I swear and promise it, and in affirmation will my Prince 
allow me to give him my hand upon it? ” asked Schwarzen- 
berg, laying his own right hand in the outstretched one of the 
Elector. You will find in me a true servant and guardian 
of your sacred person and your throne, and he who would sup- 
plant or harm you must first step over the corpse of Count 
Schwarzenherg! But now, most gracious sir, I beseech you 
not to be overpowered by your feelings of indignation, and to 
be amiable and condescending toward the home-coming Elec- 
toral Prince; for it is sometimes very necessary to wear a mask 
and assume an appearance of harmlessness and uncancern in 
order the better to fathom the designs of one’s enemies, and 
to make them feel secure, that they may the more easily be- 
tray themselves.” 

Yes, I will do so,” said George William, sighing. I 
will swallow down my rage, although it would be a relief to 
me to vent it a little, and to show my son that I know him 
and am not deceived by him. But what noise is that without, 
and who is knocking so violently at the door? ” 

This door was now impetuously torn open, and the Elec- 
tress Sophy Elizabeth entered, with beaming eyes and fea- 


THE HOME-COMING. 197 

tures lighted up by joy, while on high she held an open letter 
in her hand. 

George! ” she exclaimed — “ George, our son is coming! 
Our dear Frederick William is coming! ” 

“ Well, I rather think he ought to have been here a half 
year ago,’^ growled the Elector, “ and we have been expecting 
him several months already 

But he is here now, my husband, he is actually here now. 
Only see what a good, affectionate son he is! He has halted 
at the inn of the Spandow suburb, merely to forewarn us of 
his arrival. It was not enough for him that he had sent us a 
messenger with a verbal communication, no, he must send us 
a written salutation, and such kind, cordial words as he has 
written. There, read, my husband, just read! ” 

She handed the paper to the Elector, but he did not 
take it. 

Is the letter directed to me? he asked. 

“ Ho, to me, to his mother he wrote, because he knew how 
happy it would make me, and how heartily I love him. Read, 
George! 

I never read letters that are not directed to myself,” said 
the Elector, turning away. 

“Well, then, I will read it to you!” cried the Electress, 
who in the fullness of her joy heeded as little the ill humor of 
the Elector as she did the presence of Count Schwarzenherg, 
who upon her entrance had modestly withdrawn to one of the 
deep window recesses. “ Yes, I will read it to you,” she re- 
peated, “ for you must hear what our son writes.” 

And with a voice trembling from joy and agitation she 
read: 

“My gracious, revered Mother: Before I enter my 
dear birthplace and return home to my beloved parents and 
sisters, I would announce my arrival to your highnesses, that 
you may not he alarmed by my unexpected coming, and that 
I may not come inopportunely to his grace, my father. I 
enjoy greatly getting home, and all the testimonials of love 
and sympathy which I have received ever since I set foot with- 
in my father’s territories, and they will remain indelibly 


198 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


graven on my heart. I beg your grace to present my most 
submissive respects to my gracious father and Elector, and to 
speak a good word for me to him, that his grace may no longer 
cherish resentment against me on account of my long stay 
abroad, and that he may favorably incline toward and receive 
me, and he convinced that I am and shall ever remain the : 
grateful and obedient son of my venerated parents. 

Frederick William.” 

Well,” asked the Electress, are not those affectionate, 
glorious words, and does not your fatherly heart rejoice in 
them? But just hear, hear, how they shout and hurrah! It 
is the good people of Berlin! They are coming to the palace 
to see our son! ” 

Again was the door through which the Electress had en- 
tered violently thrown open, and two young ladies entered. 
Their lovely and blooming faces beamed with happiness and 
their eyes glistened with joy. 

He comes! Our brother is coming! ” they cried, rushing 
forward toward their parents. J ust come to the window, 
that we may see him, for he is riding around the corner into 
the pleasure garden.” 

Are you all, then, wholly beside yourselves, and gone 
stark mad?” cried the Elector passionately, while he rose 
from his armchair and proudly drew himself up. Who 
gives these two young ladies the privilege of entering my 
cabinet thus, unannounced and without ceremony? Just an- 
swer me one thing. Miss Charlotte Louise, did I permit you 
to come here? ” 

Ho, dearest father,” said the Princess timidly, casting 
down her large, dark eyes, ^^no, your grace has not indeed 
permitted us to do so, hut we did not think of that in the joy 
of our hearts, and because from here is the best lookout upon 

the pleasure grounds, we ” 

‘^We thought,” interrupted the younger sister, who had 
hardly attained her fifteenth year — we thought our dear 
papa, his Electoral Grace, would forgive us and look out with 
us to catch a sight of our beloved brother. And were we not 
right, dear papa, were we mistaken in thinking so, and will 


THE HOME-COMING. 


199 


your grace not allow your little Sophy Hedwig to lead you to 
the great corner window, that with mamma you may have a 
view of dear Frederick William? ” 

The Princess had approached her father, and, tenderly 
and coaxingly stroking his cheeks with her little white hand, 
looked up at him with such a gentle, pleading glance in her 
blue eyes as George William had never hitherto been known 
to resist. But this time the eyes of his favorite had no power 
over the Elector’s heart, and indignantly he repelled her en- 
circling arms. 

Let me alone with your ^ dear Frederick William,’ you 
saucy piece!” cried he passionately. You should at all 
events have waited until I had given you leave to appear here. 
If, in your childish giddiness, you knew no better, yet your 
sister Charlotte Louise, at the more mature age of twenty, 
ought to have arrived at years of discretion, and known what 
was proper.” 

No one knows better what is becoming than the fair 
young Princess Charlotte Louise, most gracious sir,” said 
Count Adam Schwarzenherg, issuing from the window recess 
and greeting the Princess with a reverential how. In the 
whole country the Electoral Princess is honored as a brilliant 
model of tine manners and noble demeanor, and every one 
feels himself blessed and honored who is permitted to ap- 
proach her. And is not the young lady right even now, dear 
sir, in coming here with her young sister? It is surely proper 
and well for the united Electoral family to he seen by the na- 
tion as they look upon the dear son and brother, whose return 
gladdens their hearts?” 

“ Well, for aught I care, she may be right,” muttered the 
Elector, and I will grant my wife and daughters leave to look 
out of the corner window. But, meanwhile, where is the 
Electress? ” 

“ Her grace is standing there before the corner window 
and gazing down so earnestly upon the square that I have 
not yet been so fortunate as to be allowed to pay my respects 
to her highness.” 

For if the whole world had been assembled together she 
would have seen nothing but the Electoral Prince,” called 


200 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


out the Elector, shrugging his shoulders. Go to her, Adam, 
and present my compliments to her. Tell her that I resign 
my cabinet to her and my daughters, and will withdraw into 
my sleeping apartment until this uproar has subsided.^’ 

Oh, do not do so, most honored father,” cried the 
younger Princess. Stay here, and look out of the window 
with us.” 

“ Do so, your Electoral Highness,” pleaded the count, 
softly and quickly. “ Grant the people the light of your coun- 
tenance.” 

“ Well, so he it, then,” sighed George William. Call 
the servants, Charlotte Louise, that they may roll me to the 
window.” 

As if I could not have the privilege of acting as servant 
to your highness, and as if my arm were not strong enough 
to guide your highness’s chair. Permit me, gracious sir, to 
roll you to the window.” 

And permit me to help your excellency,” said Princess 
Charlotte Louise, smiling, while she seized one of the arms of 
the fauteuil. 

How truly this is a very lofty equipage,” cried George 
William, as the fauteuil rolled along through the spacious 
apartment. The Stadtholder in the Mark and a Princess 
of the blood drawing my equipage.” 

But what a man sits in it! ” said Count Schwarzenherg. 
‘^A duke of Prussia, of Pomerania, of Cleves, an Elector of 
Brandenburg, and ” 

Hurrah, hurrah!” sounded up from below in a chorus 
of hundreds of voices. Hurrah! long live the Electoral 
Prince! ” 

“He comes! Oh, my son, my son! ” cried the Electress. 
“ He comes! George, our son ” 

She had turned round and her eye met the count’s gaze, 
who immediately bowed low and reverentially before her. 
The Electress only thanked him with a slight nod of her 
head, and herself sprang forward to push the fauteuil into 
the window niche. Then, with trembling hands, she opened 
both window shutters and beckoned her daughters to her 
side. 


THE HOME-COMING. 


201 


He must see us all, all” she said. With one glance 
he must take in father, mother, and sisters.” 

“ And my most faithful and best-beloved servant, the 
Stadtholder in the Mark! ” cried the Elector. “ Come, Adam, 
place yourself close beside me, that the picture may he com- 
plete, and my son may see us all at once.” 

Boundless public rejoicings seemed to he in progress 
below; a loud, long-sustained, ever-renewed cheering rolled 
over the square hke the roar of the sea. 

"My son, my beloved son! ” cried the Electress, leaning 
far out of the window and stretching out both arms toward 
the young man, who had just emerged from the shrubbery, 
on horseback and followed by a brilliant train. 

" Brother, dear brother! ” called out the two Princesses, 
leaning out of the other side of the window, and waving their 
handkerchiefs in token of welcome. Behind them sat the 
Elector in his great armchair, quite forgotten and quite hidden 
from view by his wife and daughters, not at all visible to either 
the people or his son. 

"I shall remember this hour, oh! to be sure, I shall re- 
member it,” he said, with trembling lips; " my son shall atone 
to me for this hour of shame and mortification. I ” 

The huzzaing and shouting below drowned his words; 
they came pouring in at the open window Hke the pealing 
tones of an organ, Hke the roar of the sea, Hke claps of thunder. 

The Elector could no longer bear it. He looked up with 
glances of entreaty at the count, who, drawn up to his full 
height, stood proud and commanding at the side of his chair, 
his sharp eyes piercing down into the court over the ladies^ 
heads. 

" Ah, Adam,” sighed George WilHam, " you, too, have for- 
gotten me, and are only looking upon him who is coming! ” 

But, however softly these words had been spoken, the 
count heard them, and tenderly he leaned over the Elector, 
and seized his hand to kiss it. 

"I am looking at the newcomer,” he whispered, "hut I 
never forget you, and my heart can never he unmindful of the 
love and fideHty it owes you.” 

"Hurrah! Long live the Electoral Prince!” was home 


202 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


up in tumultuous uproar from the pleasure garden. Long 
live the Electoral Prince! Long live the Elector! Hurrah 
for the Elector George William! 

They are calling for you, my husband, they call for 
you! ” said the Elec tress. Will you not show yourself to 
our dear people?” 

“ I ought, indeed, to he thankful to the dear people,” re- 
turned her husband. The dear people have at least re- 
minded the Electress that I still exist, although she had 
crowded me hack and rendered me entirely invisible behind 
her. Yes, I will show myself to the people, as they still think 
of me in the midst of their merriment. Step hack from the 
window, ladies, make room for your Elector and lord! And 
you. Count Schwarzenberg, come and give me your ann; I 
would lean upon you! ” 

The count willingly offered the Elector his arm. Power- 
fully drawn up by him, the Elector rose from his seat, and, 
leaning upon his favorite, stepped close up to the window. 
The shouts of joy were for a moment hushed; perhaps because 
the Electoral Prince had just ridden into the palace yard, per- 
haps because the ladies’ retreat from the window was considered 
by the people a sign that the Elector was about to appear. And 
now, within the window frame, was seen the clumsy, broad fig- 
ure of the Elector; now was seen his large head, sparsely cov- 
ered with gray hairs, his pale, swollen face, prematurely old, 
with its melancholy blue eyes and thin, colorless lips, round 
which played not the slightest smile. In the handsome, power- 
ful, and youthful Electoral Prince the people had just joyfully 
greeted Brandenburg’s future, and now from the window of 
that gray, gloomy, wretched old palace looked out upon them 
the hopelessness of Brandenburg’s present. Like gazing upon- 
embodied care and joyless resignation it was, to behold the 
Elector’s grave, forbidding aspect, and before it the joyous 
cry upon the people’s lips was silenced. They stared up at 
the window in dumb horror, and only here and there sounded 
cries from compassionate or bribed mouths: Long live the 
Elector! Long live George William! ” And like a dying echo 
came back the answer on this side and on that, feebly and 
slowly: Long live the Elector! Long live George William! ” 


THE HOME-COMING. 


203 


But now the people caught sight of the tall, stately form, 
in gold embroidered velvet suit, with the star of brilliants 
glittering on its breast, which stood beside the Elector; now 
they recognized that haughty countenance with its glance 
of sovereign contempt, its smile of lofty condescension upon 
the thin, scornful lips, and a disturbance was perceptible 
among the multitudes, as when a sudden gust of wind agitates 
the waves of the sea and lashes them up into fury and rage. 
All at once there came thundering up to the window, 
shrieked, howled., and hissed by the crowd: Down with the 
Catholics! Down with Schwarzenberg! Down with the Im- 
perialist! 

A deep flush overspread the Elector’s face. He hastily 
stepped back from the window, and looked almost timidly up 
at the count, whose countenance meanwhile had not for a 
moment lost its proud, smiling serenity. He seemed not to 
have heard the screams of the mob. 

“ They would vex me to death, therefore do they scream 
so! ” cried the Elector; they know my regard for Schwarz- 
enberg, and therefore are they so set against him and insult 
him, in order to insult me through him! ” 

My parents, my beloved parents! ” cried a clear, rich 
voice, and a young man tore open the doors of the Electoral 
cabinet, revealing a tall, slender figure and a noble face, with 
sparkling eyes and smiling lips. The Electress uttered one 
scream of rapture, and hastened to meet her son with out- 
stretched arms. He threw himself upon her breast, greeting 
her with phrases of fond endearment, and when he lifted him- 
self from his mother’s heart there were the two sisters to em- 
brace their dear and only brother, to greet him with affection- 
ate words of love, and to hold him long, long in their encir- 
cling arms. The Elector had again sunk hack into his 
armchair. His faithful servant,” Count Schwarzenberg, had 
again rolled him hack into the middle of the apartment and 
stationed himself immediately in the rear. 

With unpropitious frowns had the Elector witnessed the 
first tender greeting exchanged between the Electress and her 
son. How, when his sisters in their turn engrossed him and 
the mother stood looking on in transport, now the Elector 
14 


204 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


turned round to Schwarzenberg, and an expression of deep 
bitterness spoke in every feature. 

My son seems not to know that I am yet in tbe world/^ 
he said, with quick, complaining tone of voice. Had you 
not better remind him of it for decency’s sake, Adam?” 

But at this moment the Electoral Prince freed himself 
from his sisters’ arms, perceived the Elector, and sprang for- 
ward to him with open arms to throw himself on his heart. 
But, when he got a nearer view of his father’s dark counte- 
nance, he let his arms drop, bent his knee before the Elector, 
and grasped one hand to imprint upon it a reverential kiss. 

“ My dear father, my most gracious Sovereign and Elec- 
tor! ” cried he in tones full of tenderness, “ I beg your pardon 
that my first word, my first salutation was not given to you. 
You see, I was always a foolish boy, whom my mother spoils, 
and who delights in being spoiled.” 

I beg your pardon, my husband,” said the Electress, ap- 
proaching her husband; I alone was to blame that our son 
did not come first to you, as was his duty, and pay his first 
respects to his father and Sovereign. I stopped him, and you 
must not impute as a fault to the son what was occasioned 
by a mother’s tenderness.” 

The Elector made no reply, but looked down with moody 
resentment upon the Electoral Prince, who still knelt before 
him. 

My much-loved, gracious father,” cried the Prince, 
“ I once more beg your pardon, and pray you kindly to forget 
if I have hitherto often given you ground for annoyance, and 
have not appeared here immediately on your first command. 
I see my error, and I promise, my dear, kind father, that I 
have returned home as a penitent, affectionate son, as an 
obedient subject, whose earnest endeavor shall be to deserve 
the forgiveness and good opinion of his lord and father, and 
to live wholly and solely in subjection to his will. Only bid 
me welcome, too, my most revered sir; bestow upon your son 
one word of welcome and fatherly love.” 

The Prince glanced so tenderly at his father, there lay so 
much feeling in his handsome, expressive countenance, that 
the Elector could not resist him, but, in spite of himself, felt 


THE HOME-COMING. 


205 


his heart stirred by tenderness and emotion. He bowed down 
to him, a rare smile lit up his face, and he was just opening 
his lips to greet his son with words of friendliness and love, 
when the shrieking and shouting down in the pleasure garden, 
which had ceased for some time (probably because their ex- 
hausted throats required rest), burst forth again with redoubled 
violence. 

“ Away with the Catholics! Down with Schwarzenherg! 
Long live the Electoral Prince. Down with Schwarzenherg! 
came up with thundering impetuosity. 

The friendly words died upon the Electors lips, and the 
short sunshine of his smile vanished under a cloud of dis- 
pleasure. 

It seems, sir,” he said, “ as if your arrival were a real 
jubilee for the low rabble, who have assembled down there 
in the pleasure grounds, and as if your arrival were to be the 
cause of much vexation to me. What seditious, scandalous 
words are those shouted by those wretches? ” 

I do not know, I did not hear them,” said the Electoral 
Prince quickly. " My whole attention was concentrated upon 
my father’s lips, waiting to hear one gracious word of wel- 
come! ” 

“ The mob saved me that trouble! ” cried the Elector. 

They cut me off from speech with their ^ Long live the 
Electoral Prince! ’ What need is there for a further welcome 
from your old father? ” 

" I need it much,” replied the Electoral Prince, with low, 
melancholy voice. “I need a kind, gracious word from my 
father, on returning home after so long an absence; and it 
would seem to me as if my whole future, my whole life were 
under a cloud if I lacked the blessing of your love, the sun- 
shine of your favor.” 

My son knows how to arrange his words prettily,” said 
the Elector, shrugging his shoulders; “ it is very observable 
that he has become quite a fine, elegant gentleman, who will 
find but little to his taste among us, and who will suit us just 
as little! But what are those people forever shouting? ” said 
the Elector, interrupting himself, while he rose impulsively 
from his armchair, thus obliging the Prince to rise from his 


206 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


knees. ‘‘What infamous hubbub and howling is this, and 
what do you villains want of us? 

“Nothing further, most noble Elector,’^ replied Count 
Schwarzenherg, to whom the Elector had turned with his 
query — “ nothing further than that your honor drive me 
away, nothing further than that you dismiss the hated min- 
ister, whom they abhor, simply because he is a Catholic and 
not a Reformer, and because he is named Schwarzenherg and 
not Rochow or Quitzow, nor blessed with some country bump- 
kin^s title.” 

“I will rout this pack of vagabonds! ” cried the Elector. 
“ Let them dare just once more to let such an opprobrious, 
insulting shout be heard! ” 

And, quite forgetting his weakness and his limb so pain- 
fully swollen with gout, the Elector went rapidly to the still 
open corner window, and, leaning far out of it, lifted up his 
hand, commanding quiet. The people took this inclination 
of the body, this movement of the hand, for a token of grace, 
for a kind salutation on the part of their Sovereign, perhaps 
even for a granting of their demand. They roared aloud with 
delight, waved aloft their hats and caps, their arms and hand- 
kerchiefs, and cried and whooped and hurrahed: “Long live 
the Elector! Long live George William! Long live the Elec- 
toral Prince! ” 

The Elector stepped back and shut the window so vio- 
lently that the little panes of glass, framed in lead, fairly rat- 
tled. 

“ Frantic populace! ” he growled, “ they mix up a wretch- 
ed salad of cheers and curses, mingle weeds with their herbs, 
and fancy that we will find this devilish compound pleasing 
to our palates! We shall remember them for it, and ” 

“ Most gracious sir! ” cried Count Schwarzenherg, with 
radiant countenance, approaching the Elector — “ most gra- 
cious sir, in this blessed hour of our beloved Electoral Prince’s 
return, I have a favor to ask of your highness. His grace has 
just greeted me so amiably, so condescendingly, that he has 
caused my heart to overflow with joy, and I feel the strongest 
desire to give expression to this joy. The return of the Elec- 
toral Prince is just as propitious an event for me as for the 


THE HOME-COMING. 


207 


Electoral family, and for all your subjects it is a festive 
occasion which can not be sufficiently honored, and there- 
fore I entreat your highness to permit me to celebrate it 
at my house also, and to gratify me by being present your- 
self at this fete, with all the other members of your exalted 
family.” 

The Elector looked upon his minister with an expression of 
joyful tenderness, and then turned his glance upon the Elec- 
toral Prince, who stood silent, and with lowered eyelids, be- 
side his mother and sisters. 

“ Well, what say you to it, sir? ” asked George William. 

Do you accept the invitation to the feast? ” 

I, Electoral Lord?” asked the Prince, astonished. "It 
is not for me to accept, or to say anything. I only await the 
decision of your highness, and now allow myself to remark 
that I shall ever feel honored by an invitation from the Stadt- 
holder in the Mark, and that no one can have a higher appre- 
ciation of his services and a greater respect for his statesman- 
like experience and wisdom than myself.” 

" He knows how to speak, does he not, count? ” asked 
the Elector, indicating his son by a quick nod of the head. 
" Well, since it depends on my decision, I shall gladly extend 
to you my leave to celebrate the Electoral Prince’s return by 
a little merrymaking, were it only that the good-for-nothing 
people of Berlin may see that we and our family are devoted 
to Count Schwarzenberg now as before, and that their pitiful 
howls have had no influence upon us and our determinations. 
Yes, we will come to your party, Adam, we accept your invita- 
tion cordially and affectionately.” 

" I thank my most gracious lord for this act of favor and 
condescension,” cried the count, pressing the Elector’s prof- 
fered hand to his lips. " Will your highness extend your favor 
by appointing the day on which so distinguished an honor is 
to befall my house? ” 

" Well, that you may not have time to make too great prep- 
arations, and put us to shame by the splendor of your fUe, we 
will allow you but a short respite. To-day is Wednesday, the 
eighteenth of June, we therefore appoint Sunday, the twenty- 
second of June, for your festival.” 


208 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Be it then on Sunday, a sunny day truly for me and for 
my house/^ cried Count Schwarzenberg. “ My son, too, will 
do himself the honor to participate in the joys of the fUe, 
which your highness will do me the favor to give in my house, 
for he has returned from his journey, and will this very day 
petition for leave to present himself.” 

A fugitive glance from the count strayed across to the 
ladies, while he bowed low before them, but, however cursory 
this glance, it gave him full opportunity for perceiving Prin- 
cess Charlotte Louise’s deep blush, and the joyful flashing of 
her eyes. 

She loves him,” he said softly to himself, yes, she loves 
him, and my son will he Elector of Brandenburg.” 

‘‘We shall be pleased to see again your son. Count John 
Adolphus,” said George William kindly. “ He is a very ele- 
gant and accomplished gentleman, besides being a very sub- 
missive and obedient son, in whom your father’s heart may 
well rejoice. My son would do well to follow his example, and 
I shall be delighted for him to form a friendship with the 
count.” 

“ I shall diligently strive to gain the friendship of the son 
as well as of the father,” replied the Electoral Prince, smil- 
ing, “and it shall not be my fault, indeed, if I do not ob- 
tain it.” 

“ Most honored sir, you can gain no more than you already 
possess,” exclaimed Schwarzenberg, bowing low. “ Will the 
Electress now permit me to address a question to her high- 
ness? ” 

“ Ask your question quickly,” cried the Electress, “ that 
I may hear the request it is to introduce, for I am really curi- 
ous to know what the rich and powerful Count Schwarzen- 
berg can have to desire of the poor, uninfluential Electress.” 

“First, then, my question, most gracious lady: At what 
hour does your highness command my fUe to begin? ” 

“ Will you leave the decision to me, my husband? ” asked 
the Electress, smiling. 

The Elector nodded assent. 

“ As you have invited my daughters,” said the Electress, 
“ I presume that there will certainly be dancing, and evening 


THE HOME-COMING. 


209 


hours suit best for that. Let the fUe commence at six 
o’clock.” 

The Elector’s brow darkened, for he did not at all relish 
gay, noisy evening parties, and a solemn dinner at the regular 
hour would have been far more welcome to him. 

Your grace has prescribed the hour for the opening of 
the hall,” said Count Schwarzenherg reverentially. “ But I 
now also entreat further that you name a dinner hour, for I 
hope your highness will favor me by dining with me on that 
day.” 

Yes, that honor shall he shown you,” cried the Elector 
cheerfully. “ We; shall come, surely we shall come. And I 
will myself appoint the hour for the mid-day meal. Let it 
he at two o’clock. Then we shall have some pleasant hours 
at table before the dancing comes off and the music puts our 
heads in a whirl.” 

“ Two o’clock, then, most gracious sir.” 

And now. Sir Count,” cried the Electress, now for your 
request. Say quickly what it is. What can you, have to ask 
of me? ” 

“Most gracious Electress, I hardly venture to express it, 
and yet, by granting my request, you would do me a very great 
pleasure and honor. Some splendid silk stuffs have been sent 
me from France by my cousin, who is Austrian ambassador 
there. I had given him such a commission, as I thought of 
making a present to my aunt, the Countess Schwarzenherg at 
Vienna. My cousin bought these stuffs for me, and writes 
me, moreover, that they are the newest fabrics from the looms 
of Lyons, and that he has just sent three such dresses to the 
Empress and the two archduchesses at Vienna. Yow, it did 
not seem to me becoming or appropriate that the Countess 
Schwarzenherg should wear robes such as the Empress and 
archduchesses wear, and I think gold and silver brocade suited 
to none but ladies of princely blood.” 

“ And you would give them to us. Sir Count? ” cried the 
young Princess Sophie Hedwig, with heightened color in her 
cheeks and sparkling eyes. 

The Electress and older Princess laughed aloud at this 
naive and hasty question, and even the Elector laughed a lit- 


210 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


tie. A slight blush suffused the Electoral Prince’s face; he 
withdrew to the window and looked out. Count Schwarzen- 
herg, however, looked smilingly upon the young Princess, 
whose, girlish impatience had come so opportunely to his 
rescue. 

^‘1 would venture,” he said, most humbly to ask her 
highness’s permission to lay the brocade stuffs at her feet.” 

Mamma, do so,” coaxed Sophie Hedwig; “ take the 
pretty dress patterns from the good Stadtholder.” 

Well, then, I shall do so,” said the Electress. I accept 
your present for myself and the young ladies, and I thank 
you.” 

She extended her hand to the count, which he kissed. 

And you will give orders, Electress, that the dresses he 
made up in time for Count Schwarzenberg’s fete / ” cried the 
Elector cheerfully. You must at least honor him by display- 
ing his present first at his own house.” 

There are a few plates accompanying it,” remarked 
Schwarzenherg — “ a few plates on which are painted the new- 
est styles of ladies’ dresses now fashionable in Paris. The 
robes of the Empress and the archduchesses were made by 
them.” 

So shall our dresses he too! ” cried Sophie Hedwig, joy- 
fully clapping her hands. “ Shall they not, dearest mamma — 
shall not our dresses he made by the fashion plates? ” 

Just at this moment the Electoral Prince again emerged 
from the window recess, and approached his father. 

I beg your highness’s gracious permission to with- 
draw,” he said. I should like to retire to my own apart- 
ments a little while, in order to lay aside my dusty traveling 
suit.” 

Do so, my son,” replied the Elector, with a friendly nod 
of the head. Go to your rooms, which have been prepared 
for you a whole half year, and await your return. Dress your- 
self and rejoin us at dinner. For the rest, I hid you heartily 
welcome, and may your return be productive of good, not 
evil, to yourself and us all.” 

God grant that I may merit my father’s favor, and ever 
show myself worthy of it! ” exclaimed the Electoral Prince, 


THE DONATION. 


211 


with deep seriousness. “ I have now the honor of taking my 
leave! ” 

He bowed low before the Elector, and with a like salutation 
bade farewell to the Electress and the Princesses. After greet- 
ing the count with a smile and a wave of his hand, he hurried 
with hght elastic step through the apartment to the door. 


lY. — The Donation. 

When the Electoral Prince left his father’s cabinet he 
found without the officers and servants of the household ar- 
ranged in solemn order. They received him with a thrice- 
repeated cheer that was loud enough to penetrate through 
the door into the Electoral apartment, and to reach the Elec- 
tor’s ears in a manner by no means pleasant. 

Affectionately and smilingly Frederick William thanked 
them. He could call each one of them by name, and charmed 
them all by recalling little incidents of his earlier days in 
which they had borne a part. 

hope we shall always remain good friends,” he said, 
when he had reached the door of the long entrance hall, and 
once more I thank you for your friendly greeting.” 

Old Jock, who stood next to the door, and who looked 
quite grand in his artfully patched livery of state — old Jock 
had already just opened his mouth for another thundering 
hurrah, when the Electoral Prince laid his hand gently upon 
his shoulder. 

Hush, Jock, hush! do not shout,” he said, loud enough 
to be heard by everybody. It is enough that I read my wel- 
come in your eyes, and not necessary for your lips to pronounce 
the words aloud. Our much-loved and gracious father is sick 
and suffering, and we must not therefore allow his rest to he 
disturbed by loud noises. Be quiet and silent, therefore, and 
only believe me when I say that I know I am welcome to you 
all! ” 

He gave them one more friendly nod, and stepped out 


212 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


upon the long corridor, on the other side of which lay his 
own apartments. Quickly he went on, opened the door of the 
antechamber with a vigorous pressure of his hand, and en- 
tered. The trunks and other baggage lay in wild disorder, 
heaped up in the outer hall, and old Dietrich, with a few 
other servants and lackeys, was busied in untying parcels and 
unpacking. The Electoral Prince went hurriedly past, and 
entered his sleeping room. Here, too, he found all in con- 
fusion; the dust lay thick upon the unwieldy old furniture, 
whose cushions were covered with faded and even here and 
there ragged tapestry. From the walls, hung with discolored 
papering, a few old ancestral portraits looked gravely and 
gloomily down upon him, and their melancholy eyes seemed 
to ask him what he wanted here, and why he had come to 
awaken them from their repose, and disturb the dust which 
had been collecting for years. It seemed to the Prince as if 
he heard this inhospitable question quite clearly uttered by 
the lips of his ancestor Albert Achilles, before whose picture 
he was just passing, and whose large, glittering eyes seemed 
to look out in defiance. Frederick William stopped and looked 
at his forefather with a sad smile. I have come much against 
my will. Elector Albert Achilles,” he said. “ I assure you, 
very much against my will, and if I did not think of the future, 
I would go away again and never come back. But for the 
sake of the future the present must he endured; therefore 
forgive me, my great, valiant ancestor, and believe me I will 
do you honor! ” 

He nodded to the picture and strode on, advancing into 
the next room, which was to be his study. Here everything 
was still exactly as he had left it almost four years ago. The 
old furniture stood unmoved in its familiar places; there was 
still the brown varnished writing table at which he had for- 
merly applied himself to his studies, in company with his 
tutor Leuchtmar von Kalkhun; beside it stood the simple, 
rude book shelves, and on them, covered with dust and cob- 
webs, the old leather-bound volumes from which he had drunk 
in knowledge and wisdom. Before both windows hung, just 
as then, the dark red silken curtains, only that the sun had 
partially deprived them of their original coloring and inter- 


THE DONATION. 


213 


woven sickly streaks of yellow. The old sofa, too, was yet 
in existence with its sleek brown leather covering, and by its 
side stood the two leather armchairs, with their high, straight 
backs and awkwardly turned feet. No one had taken the trou- 
ble to repair these inroads of dilapidation, and, long as they 
had been expecting the Electoral Prince, no preparations what- 
ever had been made for his reception. Four years had passed 
over these chambers without leaving any further trace of 
their presence than dust and cobwebs, and faded stripes on 
cushion and curtain. Sighing, the Electoral Prince threw 
himself into one of the two armchairs. The old piece of furni- 
ture creaked under him, as if by this sound it would greet 
him and remind him of the past. He leaned his head against 
the back, whose leather cooled his temples as if a cold hand 
had been laid upon the brow of him who had just come home. 
Slowly his glance swept through the room, and it seemed to 
him as if he saw the four last years glide by like phantom 
shapes through the lonely, dreary, and dusty chamber. They 
looked at him with wan smiles and lusterless eyes, and hovered 
past shadowlike, leaving behind for him nothing but dust, 
nothing but a hardly cicatrized wound. Hardly cicatrized! 
Sometimes it bled yet, this wound of his past. Sometimes he 
thought that there was no healing for it, that it would never 
close, and that its pain would never cease. 

Just so thought he as the shadows of the four years floated 
by him through that gloomy, dusty room. Just so thought 
he, when the youngest of these phantoms paused beside him, 
threw back her gray veil of mist, and under it disclosed to 
him a beautiful, rosy female face, with flaming eyes, pouting 
lips, and lovely smile, when she raised her hand and beckoned 
to him, whispering! Leave all behind and come to me! 
I am waiting for you! I love you! Oh, come to me! ” 

How sweetly enticing were these whispered sounds, how 
burning was the pain in the wound but barely healed! Again 
it began to bleed, again tears rose to his eyes. He was not 
ashamed of them, and yet, as he felt them flow burning down 
his cheeks, he stretched out his hands deprecatingly to the 
phantom with the rosy cheeks and fascinating smile, to the 
shadow of the last year, and murmured: ''Away from me! 


214 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Come not near me, to tempt my heart! I may not follow you 
— I may not, and I will not.” 

And I will not! ” he repeated quite aloud, and jumped 
up from his easychair, shaking his head defiantly and proudly, 
like a roused lion. 

“What will you not?” asked a soft voice behind him, 
and when he turned round he saw at his back Baron von 
Leuchtmar, who had just entered, and whose mild, gentle 
glances rested upon him with tender expression. 

“ Leuchtmar! ” cried the Prince, hastening to meet him 
with both hands outstretched. “ God be praised, that you 
are here, that you come to me at this moment! Ah! would 
that you had not left me at Spandow, but had remained at 
my side! ” 

“ No, my Prince! It was proper that the eyes of the people 
should have greeted you alone, and that the hoy, whom they 
had seen go off at the side of his tutor, should now appear to 
them again as a hold and independent young man, who relies 
upon his own powers only, and has no longer any tutor at 
his side, but his own sense of duty and his conscience. But 
why so sad. Prince Frederick William? Your journey was 
verily a triumphal procession; like a Roman imperator you 
entered your father’s city, and now do I find you here, soli- 
tary, with troubled countenance, with tears upon your 
cheeks?” 

“With tears upon my cheeks?” repeated the Prince; 
“with imprecations, with wrath, and sorrow in my heart. 
Oh, friend, why were you not with me? You would have 
saved me perhaps from the bitterness of the last hour. You 
would have stood by me, would have encouraged me! ” 

“ My God, what has happened then? ” 

“ It has happened that I was received as if I were some 
criminal returning after a course of sin!” cried Frederick 
William, with indignant pain. “ It has happened that they 
have treated me as if I were a rioter and inciter of rebellion, 
who had come hither with criminal designs, at the head of a 
mob, and as a captain of robbers, who had attacked his Sov- 
ereign in his stronghold. It has happened that they allowed 
me to sue for pardon upon my knees without lifting me up 


THE DONATION. 


215 


— that they have treated me like an abandoned villain, from 
whom they expected each hour to witness some new out- 
break.” 

But consider, my Prince, that you had reason to expect 
that your reception would be ungracious, and that it was 
your father from whom these trials would come to you.” 

No, not from my father, hut from him — that evil spirit 
who, with his cold smile and mocking composure, stood at 
my father’s side! He has poisoned my father’s heart with 
jealousy and hate, he has filled it with mistrust toward his 
only son, and sowed discord, that he may himself reap a 
harvest from the hatred! And he was witness of my humilia- 
tion, and I saw how he looked down upon me with scornful 
superiority as I knelt before my father and pleaded in vain 
for one word of love from his lips! But he had withered this 
word upon his lips, and only for him were words of tender- 
ness and veneration there! Only for him acknowledgments, 
confidence, and love! As he stood there with cold and haughty 
face at the side of my poor father, who, stooping and insig- 
nificant, cowered below him — oh, so far below Him in his 
easychair — I felt it in every nerve of my heart, in every fiber 
of my brain, that he and he alone is ruling lord here, the com- 
mander and Sovereign; and that he who will not how and 
cringe before him, will by him be hurled into the dust and 
trodden upon! They all how before him — all! He is like 
a magician, who by the magnetic glances of his eyes subjects 
to his will all who approach him, and makes the stoutest 
hearts soft and pliant, so that like wax they allow themselves 
to be molded by his forming hands. Even my mother, who 
is his enemy, who has been battling against him for twenty 
years, even she is conquered by him, and he has become her 
master and forces her to his will. She knows not at all that 
she has fallen within the circle of his magic, yet is, like all the 
rest, a mere tool in his hands. But she feels it not, and fancies 
herself free, while she lies hound, and has no will of her own 
in his presence. I have seen it, I have felt it, and it has filled 
my heart with unutterable woe, with raging anger. She felt 
not at all the shame and humiliation under which I almost 
expired; she came not to my aid, for the magician was there. 


216 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


and in his presence my mother forgot her son so recently 
come back to her, and he was the center around which all 
turned, he was master of the situation, and before him all 
shrank into wretched nothingness. He charmed the hearts 
which had remained cold at my reception, charmed them 
with the prospect of a fUe, which, as he said, he was to give 
in my honor, and they believed the mockery, and allowed 
themselves to be touched by that noble condescension, and 
felt not the cruel boasting with which he solemnizes the re- 
turn of him who is a thorn in his flesh, a thorn which he is 
firmly determined to pluck out, and tread under foot! I came 
here humble, poor, and empty-handed, and he solemnizes my 
return by offering presents to my mother and my sisters! 
And they accept them, feel not at all the degradation, and 
will appear at the fete in clothes with which my enemy, my 
adversary, my murderer has presented them! ” 

Prince, you go too far. Your hatred carries you away.’’ 

No, I do not go too far! ” cried the Prince, beside him- 
self. His countenance was deadly pale, his eyes flashed, and 
his whole being seemed pervaded by the fire of wrath and 
hatred. No, I do not go too far, and my hatred does not 
carry me away! He is the evil demon of my house — of my 
country! He is to blame for all the disasters of the last 
twenty years, for all the humiliation and shame by which my 
family has been visited. The Mark is to be ruined — that is 
his end, that is his aim; the Electoral house of Brandenburg 
must die out — that is his hope; and he will leave untried no 
means whereby this hope may become reality. He has already 
tried once to murder me,* and he will try it again. A dagger’s 

* Shortly before the Electoral Prince left home he found one evenin.i; 
under his bed a man armed with two daggers. Upon the Prince’s out- 
cry, his servants hurried to his assistance and succeeded in capturing the 
murderer, who endeavored to make his escape. He confessed that he had 
come to murder the Electoral Prince, and that he had not done so of his 
own accord, but had been bribed to undertake the deed by a very dis- 
tinguished lord. This assertion was confirmed by a considerable sum of 
money, which was found in his pockets upon being searched. They put 
him in prison, but two days afterward he had vanished, and with him 
his jailer, who had connived at his flight. The Electoral Prince was 
firmly convinced that this murderer had been suborned by Count 


THE DONATION. 


217 


point lurks in each glance that he fixes upon me, a drop of 
poison in each word that he directs to me. If I stood alone 
with him upon the summit of a tower, he would hurl me 
down, and then afterward follow my coffin with a thousand 
tears! And my father would lean upon him, and thank God 
that only his son had been snatched from him, not his friend, 
his favorite; and my mother would weep for me, and yet go 
about in mourning which he had presented to her, and she 
would esteem it a peculiar act of amiability if he should exert 
himself to divert her mind and raise her spirits. No voice 
would he raised against him, and no one would venture to 
accuse him, for my father himself would protect him, and 
the grace and favor of the Emperor would speak him clear 
of any suspicion. He is my master, my lord — that is what 
fills me with rage and indignation; and I will surely die of 
this if the count does not succeed in dispatching me first, and 
putting me out of the way.” 

“ He will not venture to attempt that, for he knows public 
opinion would accuse and denounce him as the murderer.” 

“ What cares he for public opinion, what asks he about it 
— he who has power to repress it, he who stands so secure 
that it can not touch him ? ” 

“ Nobody stands so high. Prince, that public opinion can 
not reach him and dash him into the depths below, for public 
opinion is the voice of the nation, and the voice of the nation 
is the voice of God! And believe me. Prince, this voice will 
one day accuse and sentence him.” 

“ Yes, one day perhaps, when he has thrust me out of the 
way and murdered me, when my father has gone to his last 
home, when the Emperor has pronounced the Mark of Bran- 
denburg an unincumbered fief, and bestowed it as an act of 
grace upon Count Schwarzenherg or his son. Oh, I know 
all his plans, and I know that no moment of my life is hence- 
forth secure — ^know that I am a victim of death if prudence 
and cunning do not save me! I thought of all this during 
my long journey to this place. I have weighed all, pondered 
all, and my whole future lay before me like a white sheet of 

Schwarzenherg, and shortly before his death himself related this story 
to his physician. Vide Kuster, Youthful Life of the Great Elector. 


1 


218 the heir to the throne. 

paper. I saw a hand unroll it, and with bloody letters in- 
scribe the word ‘ Death but I saw this word blotted out 
by a cautious finger, and, ere it was written to the end, re- 
placed by the word ‘ Life ^ in characters small and hardly 
visible. Yes, I will live, will reign, will have fame, honor, and 
infiuence, will make a name for myself! Leuchtmar, I have 
left behind in Holland my youth, my hopes, my dreams, my 
heart! I come here as a man, despite my eighteen years, as 
a man who from the wreck of his youth will save only this: 
the future and fame! A man, who has suffered so much, that 
he can say of himself: I defy pain, and it has no longer any 
power over me! I defy life, said will conquer it! Yes, Leucht- 
mar, I will conquer it; and although I no longer love it, I 
do not mean to allow it to he snatched away from me. Hear 
me, friend, for to-day is the last time for a long while that I 
may speak openly and candidly to you. I entreat you, guide 
of my youth, to preserve for me your friendship and your 
faith. I beseech you never to lose confidence in me, and, if 
ever a doubt should intrude itself with regard to me, to re- 
member this hour, in which I have laid hare to you my heart, 
and in which you have been a witness to my indignation and 
grief, my excitement and hatred! You are familiar with my 
countenance, friend; impress it upon your memory, in order 
that you may never forget it, even if you should not see it 
for a long time again. Look once more in my eyes, and read 
in my glances my love and reverence for you! ” 

“ I do look into your eyes, son of my heart,” said Leucht- 
mar, deeply moved. I look through your eyes into your 
soul, into your heart, and read therein great determination 
and heroic aims. Strive after them, my favorite, and when 
the present seems to you dark and gloomy, then lift your 
eye to the glittering star, which hovers over you and is your 
future. To endure evil, and still to remain joyful and vali- 
ant, therein lies true heroism. To turn from the dust of 
earthly needs, to step over it with head held heavenward, 
thereby is true faith proved. God bless you, my son! Be 
brave, he wise, he true! Trust in yourself, your friends, your 
people, and your God; then is the future yours, and you will 
overcome all your foes, and will triumph over the proud man 


THE DONATION. 


219 


who now thinks that he triumphs over you. I said to you, 
be brave, be wise, he true. I forgot one thing, though, which 
I shall now add — he circumspect! Kememher that oftentimes 
it is not the sword which carries off the victory, hut cunning; 
remember Brutus, w'ho freed Home.” 

Oh, my friend, you have spoken truth,’’ exclaimed the 
Prince; you have read to the bottom of my soul, and under- 
stood my inmost thoughts. Now am I glad and full of con- 
fidence, for my friend and teacher will never doubt me. And 
hear one thing more, my Leuchtmar. You must accept a 
memento of this hour, a memento which I prepared even 
before my departure from The Hague, and which shall he to 
you a proof of my gratitude. I am poor and powerless, and 
as I build all my hopes upon the future, so must I do with my 
presents as well. You must accept from me a gift of my 
future, friend. I know full well that what you have done for 
me can not be recompensed, hut I would so gladly testify 
my gratitude to you, and therefore I give you this paper! ” 
He drew forth a paper from his pocketbook, and handed 
it to Leuchtmar with a friendly smile. Take it and read,” 
he said. 

Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun took the paper, and fas- 
tened his eyes upon the words, which were inscribed in large 
letters on the outside. 

A Deed of Expectancy! ” he said, astonished. 

The Electoral Prince nodded. A deed of expectancy, 
written with my own hand and sealed with my own signet 
ring. Yes, yes, my friend, I have nothing to give away but 
expectations; yet if the Electoral Prince should ever become 
Elector, he will convert these expectations into reality and 
truth. Now unfold the paper, and see what manner of ex- 
pectation it holds out.” 

An act, donating the feudal tenure of Neuenhof, lying 
within the territories of Cleves! ” cried Leuchtmar joyfully. 
“ Oh, my dear Prince, that is truly a princely gift! ” 

^^Yet it is not the Prince, but the grateful scholar who 
gives it to you,” said Frederick William, “and in proof of 
this I have written these words, which I will read to you my- 
self.” He bent over the paper, and read: “We have volun- 
15 


220 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


tarily and with due consideration promised and engaged to 
give to Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun this estate of Neuen- 
hof, out of the particular and friendly affection which we 
bear to him. We also swear that if we hereafter attain to 
power and authority, and our much-esteemed Romilian von 
Leuchtmar be to our sorrow cut off by death, we in the same 
way will this estate to his eldest son, and grant him the en- 
joyment of all that we assigned and destined for his father 
in his lifetime.” * 

‘‘ That is indeed to carry happiness and reward beyond 
the grave! ” cried Leuchtmar, with tears in his eyes. “ Oh, 
I thank you, my Prince, thank you from my inmost soul, for 
myself and my children! ” 

You have nothing at all to thank me for, friend,” said 
the Prince. “ I shall ever be much more in your debt. If, 
however, I some day become a good Prince to my country 
and a father to my people, then you must reflect that this is 
the return I make to you, my teacher, my educator! You 
see I hope in the future, and think that I shall succeed in 
evading murderous designs and fulfill my aims. But, indeed, 
your warning I may never forget, and circumspect I must 
be first of all. Wear a mask, as Brutus did! Let me embrace 
you once more, friend Leuchtmar; look me once more in the 
eye. And now — I hear some one coming! Farewell, Leucht- 
mar! I put on my mask and not for a moment can I with- 
draw it from my features.” 


V. — Brutus. 

The door was now opened, a valet entered and announced. 
Her highness the Electress! ” And before the Electoral 
Prince had time to advance, the Electress had entered the 
room. 

I come to welcome you once more, my Frederick! ” she 
cried, stretching out her arms to her son. Entirely without 
* von Orlich, History of the State of Prussia, vol. i, p. 43. 


BRUTUS. 


221 


witnesses, simply as his mother would I greet my son, and 
tell him how happy I am that he is once more here.” 

She flung her arms around her son’s neck, and pressed 
him ardently to her bosom. Baron Leuchtmar, who upon 
the Electress’s approach had stepped aside, now crept softly 
through the apartment to the door, and was already in the 
act of opening it, when the Electress quickly raised her head 
and looked around. 

Stay where you are, Baron Leuchtmar,” she said; why 
would you slip away from us? ” 

I may not presume by my presence to disturb the con- 
fldential discourse between the Electress and her son.” 

You do not disturb us at all, for you belong to us, Leucht- 
mar,” replied Charlotte Elizabeth, nodding kindly to him. 
“ On the contrary, I will tell you that I knew you were here, 
and came here on that very account, in order to salute you 
without witnesses, and to have a private conversation with 
you and my son. For well I know, Leuchtmar, that we may 
conflde in you, and that you belong to us — that is to say, to 
the enemies of Schwarzenberg, to the enemies of the Imperial- 
ists and Catholics, to the friends of the Swedes and Ee- 
formers.” 

“ Your highness may be well assured that I return home 
just as I went away,” said Leuchtmar earnestly — “ that is to 
say, an upright Protestant, a true Brandenburgher, and a 
determined opponent of those who concluded the peace of 
Prague, and thereby separated the Elector of Brandenburg 
from the Swedes, and made him wholly and solely subservient 
to the Emperor’s interests.” 

You will not name him, the evildoer, who has brought 
this to pass,” cried the Electress, ^^but I will name him: it 
is Count Schwarzenberg! It is the Stadtholder in the Mark, 
who has brought upon us all this mischief and disgrace, who 
has sundered us from our nearest blood relations, the family 
of the Swedish King, and has leagued us with and subjected 
us to those who are oiir sworn enemies and adversaries, the 
Imperialists, the Austrians. Oh, my son! promise me that 
you wdll some day take vengeance for the ignominy and 
humiliation which we must now undergo. Swear in this first 


222 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


hour of your return home, solemnly joining hands with me, 
that as soon as you come into power the first act of your gov- 
ernment shall he to renounce allegiance to the Emperor and 
to ally yourself again with the Swedes, our natural allies.” 

She stretched out her right hand to her son. Swear, my 
son! ” she cried, solemnly, “ give me your hand upon it! ” 
But Frederick William did not lay his hand within hers. 
He drew back, declining her proffered hand. 

Forgive me, my dearest mother,” he said, forgive me; 
hut I can not swear, for I do not know whether I could keep 
my oath! May the good God long preserve my gracious 
father’s life, and grant him a glorious reign. But if hereafter, 
and surely to my deepest regret, duty and the right of suc- 
cession deliver into my hands the reins of government, then 
I must guide them, as circumstances direct, as determined 
by the contingencies of the times and the good of the coun- 
try; and I dare not hind myself beforehand by any given 
word or by promises.” 

You refuse, my son, to promise me that you will make 
amends for all the evil done by that wicked enemy of your 
house, your family, and your country? ” 

“ Dearest mother, I know not of whom you speak, and 
who it is that has burdened himself with so heinous a crime.” 

With impulsive movement the Electress laid her hand 
upon his arm, and looked him steadily in the eye. 

Are you dissembling, or is that the truth? ” she asked. 
“ You do not know of whom I speak? You do not know who 
is the enemy of your house and family? ” 

I am trying in vain to study it out, mother, and I beg 
you not to he angry with me on that account, for your grace 
must reflect that I have been absent almost four years, and 
am therefore a little unacquainted with the situation of affairs 
here. If you had addressed that question to me before my 
departure, most assuredly I should have replied without hesita- 
tion, ^ It is Count Sehwarzenherg! ’ But I have since then 
found out that I had done the count injustice in many things 
through my inexperience and want of foresight; that he is 
a very great and experienced statesman and politician, who 
with his far-seeing glances can discern much more clearly 


BRUTUS. 


223 


than I with my unpracticed eyes the relations of things. 
Who knows but that, after all, the peace of Prague has been 
a real blessing to our land. When I behold its present pitiable 
and languishing condition as a neutral, how can I avoid re- 
flecting with horror upon what might have been the state 
of things had we joined any decided war party. Had we sided 
with the Swedes, the enmity of the powerful Emperor, vastly 
surpassing us in material resources, would long since have 
destroyed us root and branch, and my dear father would have 
most probably shared the same lamentable fate as the Elector 
of the Palatinate, his brother-in-law, or the Margrave of Lieg- 
nitz and Jagerndorf, his cousin. He must have wandered 
with wife and children an exile in foreign lands, or died of 
grief among strangers. On the other hand, had we sided 
with the Emperor against the Swedes, a raging, implacable foe 
would have quartered himself in the heart of our dominions, 
and not merely Pomerania, but the Mark and the duchy of 
Prussia would have been overrun by his warlike hordes. But 
on my journey hither I have witnessed the miisery and un- 
speakable wretchedness of our land, and asked myself with 
heavy, sorrowing heart what would have become of our un- 
happy country in times of war if neutrality could reduce it 
to such poverty and plunge it in such want and suffering. 
And then I was forced to acknowledge that Count Schwarzen- 
berg had acted right well as Stadtholder in the Mark in wish- 
ing, before all things, to preserve the Mark intrusted to him 
from yet greater calamity, by holding it to that neutrality, 
being alike impartial between the Emperor and the Swedes. 
I therefore begged his pardon in my heart for having often 
accused him unjustly before, for he is indeed a faithful and 
zealous servant to his master, and especially endeavors to 
further his interests, to maintain his position, and to con- 
sole him in these times of affliction. I see, too, that not 
merely the Elector holds him in high estimation, and honors 
him as his true and valued counselor and friend, but that my 
mother as well has taken him into her favor, and that she 
has quite recovered from the mistrust with which she pre- 
viously regarded him. For surely it is a proof of great favor 
when the Electress allows the count to offer presents of dresses 


224 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


to herself and her daughters, and no one of ns can mistrust 
him, who so cordially rejoices over my return that he volun- 
teers to celebrate it by a splendid festival. The whole Elec- 
toral family has accepted the invitation to this festival, 
and thereby prove to Berlin, yea, to the whole country, 
that we are on the best terms with the Stadtholder, and that 
nothing has transpired which could shake our confidence in 
him.’” 

The Electress had listened to her son with ever-growing 
amazement. Her glances had grown more and more indig- 
nant; she had often turned from her son to Leuchtmar, as if 
to read in his features whether or not he shared her astonish- 
ment and irritation. Now, when the Prince was silent, she 
stepped across to Leuchtmar, and laid her hand upon his 
arm. 

Leuchtmar,” she asked with trembling voice, “ is he in 
earnest? Has he actually altered so entirely? Has he really 
gone over to our enemies and adversaries? ” 

“Most gracious lady, the Electoral Prince is by far too 
tender a son ever to become alienated from his mother,” re- 
plied the baron earnestly. 

“ He speaks the truth, my dearest mother,” exclaimed 
Erederick William, nearing his mother. “ Never could I alter 
toward you, never forget the gratitude and love I owe you, 
never go over to your enemies and adversaries. But why 
should we carry politics into private life, and what have 
Swedes and Imperialists, Catholics and Reformers to do with 
our family life and our domestic circle? Let us hand poli- 
tics over to those whose duty it is to deal with them; let us 
not seek to meddle in the government, for we have no right 
to do so, and should step aside for those who understand mat- 
ters far better than we do, and who manage the machine of 
state with as much foresight as wisdom. I, at least, am de- 
termined to hold myself aloof from all such burdensome 
affairs, to enjoy my youth and freedom, and I thank God that 
I have not to hear the weight of administering the govern- 
ment, hut have only the pleasant task allotted me of permit- 
ting myself to be governed! ” 

“ It is not possible! ” cried the Electress, with an outburst 


BRUTUS. 


225 


of passion — no, it is not possible that my son can so speak 
and think! 0 Leuchtmar! what have you made of my son? 
Who has changed him, my darling, my only son? I hoped 
that he would come hack a hero, around whom would cluster 
all those who are true to our house, our faith, and our father- 
land! I hoped that in him I should find a refuge against the 
aggressions, the villainy, and the wiles of my enemy! I hoped 
that the son would succeed in winning back his father’s heart, 
and turning him against that proud man who rules him en- 
tirely, and who will crush us all. 0 God! my God! for three 
long years I have been lopking forward to his return as the 
time of vengeance and retribution, and now that son is here, 
and what do I find in him? A son weakly obedient to his 
father, a submissive admirer of Count Schwarzenberg, a weak- 
ling who longs not at all for honor and infiuence, who is glad 
that he has not to govern and work, but that others must 
govern and work for him! Alas! I am a poor mother, and 
much to be pitied, for in vain have I hoped that my son would 
assist me to avenge the misfortunes of my house, ’and punish 
and bring my enemies to account! ” 

She covered her face with her hands, weeping aloud. The 
Electoral Prince gave her a look of mingled grief and pain, 
took one hurried step forward, as if he would go to her, 
and encircle her in his arms, then paused, retreated slowly, 
gently, ever farther from the spot where she still stood with 
face concealed and sobbing aloud. It was as if an invisible 
hand continually drew him farther from his mother, ever 
nearer the door of the antechamber. E'ow he stood close to 
it, leaned against it, and — was the old castle so disjointed, 
or had the Electoral Prince with sudden touch pressed upon 
the latch?— the door flew open. The Electoral Prince fell 
backward into the antechamber, and, had it not been for the 
Electress’s valet, against whom he stumbled, would have 
fallen to the ground. 

By my faith! ” he cried, while he nodded to the lackey, 
who stood there with red face and deep embarrassment of 
manner — by my faith! it was a piece of good luck for me 
that you were standing so near the door, my friend, else I 
should probably have had a bad fall. This rickety old castle 


226 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


must be repaired. One can not even lean against the doors 
without their flying open! ” 

He nodded to the lackey, who stood there in confusion, 
not having at all recovered his self-possession, and stepped 
hack into the room. In passing, his eye caught that of Leucht- 
mar, who replied by a nod of assent, stolen and signiflcant; 
then he approached the Electress, who, surprised by this sud- 
den and unexpected interlude, had let her hands glide from 
before her face, and now dried her tears. 

I beg my revered mother’s pardon for disturbing her so 
ridiculously,” he said, seizing her hand and pressing it to 
his lips. It was not my fault, and only occasioned by the 
insecure fastening upon the door. It was by a right for- 
tunate accident that your grace commanded your valet to sta- 
tion himself close to the door of the cabinet, for he thereby 
saved me from an unpleasant fall.” 

I did not command the lackey to station himself in your 
sleeping apartment,” said the Electress, and consider it con- 
trary to all rules of propriety.” 

She rapidly crossed the study and opened the door just 
as the lackey was slinking through the one opposite. 

“Frederick, come here!” cried the Electress, and with 
head sunk and humbled mien the lackey came a few paces 
nearer. 

“ Did I not order you to wait for me in the antechamber, 
and to forewarn us of the approach of any one else? ” asked 
the Electress. 

“ Your highness,” replied the lackey humbly, “ I followed 
your grace’s orders exactly, and stood here in the antechamber 
and kept guard, but nobody came.” 

“ But this is not the antechamber, you blockhead! ” cried 
the Electress. “It is there, without! Go out there and 
wait! ” 

The lackey made haste to obey the order given him, and 
the Electress turned to the Prince. “ I beg you, my son, to 
pardon the man his stupidity,” said she; “but he deserves 
some indulgence in so far as he has only been in our service 
for a short while, and consequently is not well acquainted 
with the plan' of the palace. My valet fell sick on the journey 


BRUTUS. 


227 


from Konigsberg here, and we were obliged to leave him be- 
hind, which was so much the more inconvenient as he was 
our hairdresser besides, and understood how to arrange the 
Elector’s hair as well as my own and the young ladies’. Count 
Schwarzenberg heard of it, and by a piece of good fortune, 
was able to spare us one of his valets.” 

“ Oh! ” cried the Electoral Prince, smiling. This fel- 
low, then, has been transferred from the Stadtholder’s service 
to that of your grace? ” 

“ Yes, and I must say that he is a very useful and efficient 
servant, who understands jail the newest styles of French 
hairdressing, and is well skilled in other ways also. I beg you 
therefore to excuse him for this little mistake.” 

“ He is perfectly excusable,” said the Electoral Prince, 
bowing. So much the more excusable, as it might well 
happen that he is not yet familiar with this castle.” 

It is true,” cried the Electress, casting her eyes around 
the room, it does look a little dilapidated and desolate here, 
and care ought indeed to have been taken to refurnish your 
apartments and give them a more comfortable aspect. You 
know, Frederick, we only expect to tarry here for a short 
time, and think of returning to Prussia very soon, and there 
I shall see myself that you are provided with handsomer and 
more commodious rooms. There I am the princely lady of 
the house, and everywhere reigning duchess, while here, in 
the resident palace of Berlin, I seem to myself only a guest, 
who has nothing at all to say in the directing of the house- 
hold, but must silently acquiesce in everything. And it is so, 
too, and has come to this pass, that the Stadtholder in the 
Mark is the only ruling lord and commander, and the Elector 
seems to come here only as the Stadtholder’s guest.” 

The Stadtholder, though, seems at least a right polite 
and splendid host,” remarked the Electoral Prince, smiling, 
^^a host who lays himself out to attend to the comfort and 
entertainment — nay, even to the wardrobes — of his noble 
guests.” 

Your Electoral Highnesses! ” cried an advancing lackey 
— your Electoral Highnesses, the steward of the household 
is without, and announces that dinner is served, and that the 


228 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Elector and the young ladies have already repaired to the 
dining hall.” 

Then let us go too, my son,” said the Electress, offering 
her hand to the Electoral Prince. 

‘‘ But, most gracious mother, I still have on my traveling 
suit, and ” 

My son,” sighed the Electress, your traveling suit is 
so showy and elegant that I can only wish that in the future 
your court dress may always he so handsome. Come, give 
me your arm, and let us hurry, for your father does not like 
to he kept waiting, and is very punctual at mealtimes. You, 
Baron von Leuchtmar, follow us. We herewith invite you 
to he our guest, and to accompany us to table.” 

The Electress took the Prince’s proffered arm, and swept 
through the door held open for her by the lackey. The steward 
of the household, who had awaited them in the antechamber, 
golden staff in hand, now preceded them, the lackeys flew be- 
fore them to open the doors, and through a suite of gloomy, 
deserted rooms, with old-fashioned, dusty, and half-decayed 
furniture, moved the princely pair, followed by Baron von 
Leuchtmar, behind whom strutted the lackeys at a respectful 
distance. The Elector stood with the two Princesses in the 
deep recess of the great window, when his wife and son en- 
tered; he greeted them both with a short nod of the head, 
and, casting a dark, unfriendly glance at Baron von Leucht- 
mar, who was reverentially approaching him, gave his arm 
to his wife, and led her to the two upper places at the oblong 
table. 

It seems our son can not dispense with his tutor,” said 
he, in a low, peevish tone of voice to the Electress. He 
brings his tutor to dine with us, as if it were a matter of 
course.” 

I beg your pardon, George,” whispered the Electress. I 
invited the baron, whom I found in our son’s room. Do me 
the favor to receive him affably. He has bestowed much 
labor and love upon our son, and has ever been a faithful 
servant to us.” 

To you, perhaps, but not to me,” muttered the Elector, 
while he allowed himself to sink down in his great, round 


BRUTUS. 


229 


easychair, thereby giving the signal for dinner to com- 
mence. 

The hours of dinner were usually those in which George 
Wilham was accustomed to dismiss all the cares and anxieties 
of government, and to give himself up vrith cheerful counte- 
nance to harmless conversation with his wife and daughters. 
At times he even loved to carry on a hvely chat with those 
court officials who were present at the table, or to amuse 
himself with hearing their recital of the events of the day or 
the gossip of the town. But to-day the Elector remained 
gloomy and taciturn. He left it to his wife to lead the con- 
versation, and get from the Electoral Prince accounts of her 
dear relations at the Dutch court. The Prince answered aU 
her questions, confining himself meanwhile to the duly neces- 
sary, and never spontaneously adding anything or entering 
into any details as to his own life and residence at the court 
of Holland. The Elector continued to hsten in moody silence, 
and this reserve on the part of his son seemed to put him still 
more out of humor. His face continually grew darker, and 
he even disdainfully pushed away untasted his favorite dish, 
a wild boar’s head, served up with lemons in its mouth, after 
it had been presented to him for the third time. 

" You have been heating about the hush long enough now, 
Electress! ” he cried Wamdy. “ You have made inquiries 
after all possible things, except the principal matter and per- 
son in whom you are at bottom most interested. It might 
have been expected that our Electoral Prince would have 
begun himself, since ‘ out of the abundance of the heart the 
mouth speaketh.’ But our young gentleman remains ele- 
gantly monosyllabic, and it would seem that he is not at all 
overjoyed upon his return to the poverty-stricken, quiet house 
of his father. It is true, he has lived in much handsomer 
style at the Orange court, lived there, indeed, amid plenty 
and pleasure — ^by the way, we can sing a little song on that 
subject, for our son has seen weU to the outlay, hut the pay- 
ment all fell to the lot of us at home. But now, sir, now tell 
us a little of the petty court at Doomward, of our sister-in- 
law, the widowed Countess of the Palatinate, and finally, what 
I know your mother thinks the principal thing, finally tell us 


230 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


also about her beautiful and fascinating daughter, the Princess 
Ludovicka Hollaridine.'’^ 

The Prince slightly shuddered. At the mention of this 
name, which he had not heard since his departure from The 
Hague, he could not prevent the ebbing of all his heart’s 
blood, and a deadly pallor overspread his cheeks. He cast 
down his eyes, and yet felt that all eyes were turned upon 
him with questioning, curious glances. But this very con- 
sciousness restored to him his self-possession and composure. 
Once more he raised his head with a vigorous start, shook 
back into their place the brown locks which had fallen down 
over forehead and cheeks, and met the Elector’s looks of in- 
quiry with a full, intrepid gaze. 

Most gracious father,” he said, with quiet, passionless 
voice, very little can be said about the petty court of Doom- 
ward. Our aunt, the Electress of the Palatinate, reflects with 
sorrow upon the past; the three Princesses, her daughters, 
and their three little brothers, reflect with hope upon the 
future, and of the present therefore but little is to be told.” 

They must be very beautiful, those Princesses of the 
Palatinate, are they not? ” asked the Elector. 

I believe they are,” replied the Prince composedly. 

He only believes so! ” cried his father. Just see how 
they have slandered him, for they would have had us believe 
that he knew exactly, and was quite peculiarly edifled by the 
beauty of the Princesses of the Palatinate.” 

And why should he not have been, your highness?” 
asked the Electress, smiling. “ The Princesses of the Palati- 
nate are our own cousins, and it seems very natural, surely, 
that he should have a cordial, cousinly regard for them.” 

Maybe, Electress! ” cried George William, ^^but it were 
to be wished that it had stopped there! I should like, there- 
fore, to hear something about the Princess Ludovicka Hol- 
landine. Is she, indeed, so very fair as report represents her 
to be? ” 

Yes,” replied the Prince, with husky voice — " yes, she is 
very fair. Only question Leuchtmar on the subject; he can 
confirm what I say.” 

I prefer to question yourself,” said the Elector, with in- 


BRUTUS. 


231 


exorable cruelty, and to learn something more concerning 
your fair cousin from your own lips. We have been informed 
that the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine is a very lively, merry 
young lady, and that she is by no means disinclined to become 
our daughter-in-law.” 

“ But, my husband,” pleaded the Electress in an under- 
tone, “ you would not speak of such confidential matters in 
the presence of our court, and ” 

“Ah, Electress!” interrupted George William, “these 
confidential matters have been bruited abroad everywhere; 
the talk has been, not merely here at Berhn, but throughout 
the land, yea, even so far as the imperial court at Vienna, that 
our son meant to surprise us on his return from the Nether- 
lands by presenting to us the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine 
as his wife, without applying to us beforehand for our con- 
sent. I therefore desire that the Electoral Prince answer me 
openly and candidly, that we may all know once and forever 
how the matter stands, and what we have to expect. The 
good, gossiping city of Berlin, the whole land, even the im- 
perial court and the whole world, which seems to interest 
itself so much in the marriage of our Prince, will then soon 
have an opportunity of learning directly and rehably what 
is the state of affairs, and that is exactly what seems to me 
desirable, and was the motive for our question. Therefore, 
let our son tell us how matters stand between the Princess 
Ludovicka Hollandine and himself.” 

The Electoral Prince sat with downcast eyes. His cheeks 
were still deadly pale, and on his high, broad brow rested a 
threatening cloud. He put his hand around the stem of the 
large glass goblet before him, and held it so firmly that the 
glass broke with startling clangor and poured its purple wine 
upon the tablecloth. The shrill clinking seemed to rouse 
him from his reverie; with a hasty movement he threw a 
napkin over the red stain, and again raised his eyes, slowly 
and tranquilly. 

“Your Electoral Highnesses desire me to tell you the 
truth with regard to all the reports circulated as to a marriage 
between the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine and myself,” 
he said. “ I will, therefore, as becomes an obedient and sub- 


232 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


missive son, acquaint you with the truth. And the truth is 
this,^^ he continued, with raised voice, while at the same time 
his cheeks became suddenly scarlet and his eyes flashed with 
the fire of inspiration — “ the truth is this: the Princess Ludo- 
vicka Hollandine is the prettiest, sweetest woman in the whole 
world; happy and enviable is the man whose fortunate des- 
tiny will permit him to take her home as his bride, blessed 
above all men he on whom this noble, fascinating, and amiable 
girl bestows her love, whom she allows to enjoy the treasures 
of her mind and heart. Your highness said that the Princess 
Hollandine was not ill inclined to become your daughter-in- 
law. On that point I can give you no information, for I per- 
ceived nothing of this inclination; but this I can and must 
confess, that I experienced the most glowing desire to make 
the Princess your daughter-in-law; this I must confess, that 
I have loved the beautiful, witty, and charming Princess Hol- 
landine with my whole soul and from the very depths of my 
heart. But never would I have ventured to make the noble 
Princess my wife in opposition to your will, father; and since 
I must admit that a union with her is not in accordance with 
your wishes, and that it is opposed by policy and state reasons, 
I have obediently submitted to your orders, and brought to 
you and my country the greatest and holiest of sacrifices that 
a man can offer: I have sacrificed my love to you, father! 
It has indeed been a bitter struggle with me, and I do not 
deny that I yet suffer, but I shall conquer my pain; yet that 
I can ever forget the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, I can 
not promise, for he who has truly loved never forgets. You 
have desired me to acquaint you with the truth, father, now 
you know it. Let it now be blazoned forth through all Berlin, 
through the whole country, even as far as the imperial court 
of Vienna, and through the whole world. The Princess Ludo- 
vicka also will then hear of it, and the report of this confession 
of my love will reach her. But let rumor announce this one 
thing more to the Emperor, to our country, and to her: that, 
while the Electoral Prince Frederick William of Brandenburg 
could, indeed, give up a marriage with a Princess whom he 
loved, out of respect and obedience to his father, he never 
will take as his wife a princess whom he does not love, out of 


BRUTUS. 


233 


obedience and respect; that the Electoral Prince thinks him- 
self much too young and inexperienced to marry, and that he 
most humbly implores his father to spare him the considera- 
tion of all matrimonial projects for long years to come, since 
he is firmly determined not to marry yet, and this, indeed, 
not out of any refractoriness toward his father, nor out of 
any want of veneration for the princesses who might be pro- 
posed to him, but merely because his heart has received a sore 
wound, and because this must first heal. But I do not re- 
proach the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine with having in- 
flicted this wound. On the contrary, I speak it aloud, and 
may my speech penetrate to hei* ears as a parting salutation: 
Blessed be the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine of the Palati- 
nate, and may God send her the happiness she deserves so 
richly by her beauty, intellect, and goodness of heart! ” 

And, carried away by his own warmth and enthusiasm, 
forgetting all sense of restraint in this moment of highest 
excitement, Frederick William jumped up from his seat, took 
up in his hand the unbroken cup of the glass whose foot he 
had smashed, and filled it to the brim with wine. 

Most gracious mother! ” he cried, look here! the base 
of this goblet is broken off, and an apt symbol it is of my love. 
With the last wine which this glass will ever hold let me drink 
a last farewell to my love, and do you pledge her with me: 
To the health of the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine of the 
Palatinate! ” 

The Electress had listened to her son with tears in her 
eyes, and the two Princesses also had been deeply moved by 
the vehement and painful recital of their brother’s love. How, 
upon his invitation, spoken with so much ardor and enthusi- 
asm, the Electress rose from her seat and took her glass in 
her hand; the Princesses followed her example. 

To the health of the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine of 
the Palatinate! ” said the Electress, with full, distinct voice, 
and the young ladies repeated it after her. 

Here is to her health! ” cried Frederick William, with 
animated features and beaming eyes. ^^May she be great, 
happy, and blessed forever! ” 

At one draught he emptied the chalice, then, in the fervor 


234 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


of the moment, forgetting all discretion, he threw the glass 
backward over his shoulder into the hall, so that it fell, with 
a crash, shivered to atoms, upon the floor. 

The Elector rose, his face flushed with passion, and vio- 
lently rolled his chair back from the table. Dinner is over,^’ 
he said. May this meal be blessed to all! ” 

The court officials bowed low and withdrew. Herr von 
Leuchtmar also made a motion as if to go, but George Wil- 
liam’s call detained him. Come here,” he said imperiously; 
“ I have still a couple of words to speak with you. Just tell 
me, Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun, is it you who have taught 
the Electoral Prince such singular manners, or are those the 
flne fashions which he has been used to at the Orange court? 
Is it the custom there to make scandal at table, and to throw 
glasses behind them? ” 

Your Electoral Highness,” replied Leuchtmar hesitat- 
ingly, I do not know ” 

Permit me, most gracious father,” interposed the Elec- 
toral Prince, while he most respectfully drew near to his 
father — permit me to answer you on that point myself. Ho, 
it is not the fashion to behave so strangely at the Hetherland 
court, and God forbid that my former tutor, Baron von 
Leuchtmar, should have taught me such ill manners. It was 
only my heart, which for the moment was stronger than any 
form or fashion, and I pray you to forgive it, for henceforth it 
shall be right good and quiet, and not even cause it to be re- 
marked that it still beats.” 

The Elector only answered by a silent nod of the head, 
and then turned again to the baron. 

Leuchtmar,” he said, I have now a few words to ad- 
dress to you, and, had you not appeared here to-day, I should 
have been obliged to have had you summoned to-morrow to 
tell you what I have to say. You have brought the Electoral 
Prince back to us, a young gentleman, who has outgrown the 
schoolroom and needs no tutor; let life then receive him into 
its school and play the tutor for him. But he has outgrown 
you and your protection, and your office is herewith at an 
end. I might wish, indeed, to retain you still near the person 
of my son, and so I could have done if the Electoral Prince 


BRUTUS. 


235 


had married, and we had set up a princely establishment for 
him, as would have become his rank. But the Electoral 
Prince’s distinct declaration that he will not marry for some 
years, even if we should desire it, is welcome to us in so far 
as we shall not have to give him a separate household, which 
would have been rather hard upon us in these times of sore 
embarrassment. The Electoral Prince will therefore reside 
at our court, simply and quietly as we ourselves, and we can 
not provide him separate attendants. Therefore, you are 
honorably dismissed from your office, and it will suit us no 
longer to confine you to our household. You are free to seek 
another master, another office, and we herewith dismiss you 
forever from our service. It will not, indeed, he difficult for 
you to find another service, and, since you are so well disposed 
to the Swedes, you would do best to repair to The Hague, or, 
indeed, to Sweden itself.” 

If Baron von Leuchtmar will do that,” exclaimed the 
Electress, he shall not want for recommendations from me, 
and my uncle the Stadtholder will surely esteem it a privilege 
to receive into his service a man so pre-eminently wise, learned, 
and trustworthy as Baron von Leuchtmar. I will at any time 
write on the subject to the Stadtholder of Holland, and tell 
him what a debt of gratitude we owe you, and how little able 
we are to requite you. We shall further entreat him to do 
what is, alas! impossible for us — to give you a good, honor- 
able, and lucrative position for the whole of your life.” 

I thank your highness out of a sincere soul for so great 
a favor,” softly replied Leuchtmar. Meanwhile I do not 
intend to go into any other service, hut to content myself with 
quiet retirement in the bosom of my own family.” 

Do just as you choose,” said the Elector, and may good 
fortune attend you everywhere. Electress, give me your arm, 
and let us withdraw to our own apartments. And he, our son, 
will doubtless, first of all, have to take a most touching and 
tearful farewell of Leuchtmar, and sing a mournful ditty 
about the cruel father who would take away from him his 
nurse — that is to say, his tutor.” 

"Ho, most gracious father,” cried the Electoral Prince, 
laughing, "I shall sing no mournful ditty, hut cheerfully 


236 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


second your decision. It is quite fine to have no longer a tutor 
at one’s side, for it makes one feel as if he were indeed a 
grown-up man, no more in need of a governor; and as to that 
touching and tearful parting, that is by no means called for. 
Herr von Leuchtmar and I have had some hot disputes lately 
on the subject of noble politics. He was too much of a Swede 
for me, I too much of an Imperialist for him, and those two 
things accord not well together, as you know yourself. Mean- 
while, farewell, Baron von Leuchtmar, and for all the good 
you have done me accept my best thanks! And now a last 
embrace, and then God go with you, Herr von Leuchtmar! ” 

He fiung his arms around Leuchtmar’s neck, and pressed 
him closely to his heart. Farewell, my dear friend,” he 
whispered, farewell; we shall meet again!” 

‘‘We shall meet again, my Brutus,” said Leuchtmar, quite 
softly, and laid his hand upon the Prince’s brow, blessing 
him. 

Frederick William felt the tears gush from his heart to 
his eyes, and with a brusque movement repelled the baron. 
“ Farewell! ” he repeated hoarsely, then hurried with quick 
steps through the dining hall to the door. 

“ Frederick William, come with us! ” cried the Elector, 
but the Prince did not or would not hear his call. He hurried 
through the antechamber and the long corridor, and when he 
had gained the solitude of his own gloomy apartments, and 
not until then, rang forth from his breast the long restrained 
scream of agony, streamed from his eyes the long-restrained 
tears. He sank down upon the old creaking armchair and 
wept bitterly. 


VI. — Rebecca. 

“ Well, Master Gabriel Hietzel, here you are,” said Count 
Schwarzenberg, greeting the painter, who had just entered, 
with a gracious nod. “ And it must be granted that you are 
a very punctual man, for I agreed to meet you here at Span- 


REBECCA. 237 

dow by twelve o’clock, and only hear, the clock is just now 
striking the hour.” 

Most gracious sir, that comes from my already having 
stood an hour before the gates of your palace, waiting for the 
blessed moment to arrive when I might enter. I have been 
gazing this whole hour up at the dialplate of the steeple clock, 
and it seemed to me as if an eternity of torture would elapse 
while the great hour hand slowly, oh, so slowly, made its cir- 
cuit of sixty minutes.” 

‘‘ You are a queer creature! ” cried Count Schwarzen- 
berg, shrugging his shoulders. Romantic as a young girl, 
full of virtuous desires, and yet not at all loath to commit 
certain delicate little crimes, and to pass off copies for origi- 
nals, and that not merely pictures on canvas, but pictures in 
flesh and blood as well. For what else is your Rebecca but 
the copy of a respectable, decent matron, whom you thought 
to smuggle in as an original, while in reality she is nothing 
but a copy.” 

In the eyes of the law and the Stadtholder perhaps, but 
not in the eyes of God and of him who loves her more than 
his life and his eternal salvation, for he is ready, in order to 
possess her, to renounce even his honor and his peace of con- 
science. Oh, your excellency, be pitiful now and let me see 
my Rebecca. You have given me your word, and you will not 
be so cruel as to break your promise.” 

I promised you nothing further than that I would in- 
trust certain damaged pictures to you for repairing, and that 
I would show you a picture which might perhaps be familiar 
to you — that was all. I shall perform my promise, and that 
immediately. But first, just tell me how you are progressing 
with the painting I ordered of you. Perhaps you have already 
with you some sketch of it? It would be peculiarly pleasant 
to me, for on the day after to-morrow I give a fete in my palace 
at Berlin, and it would be quite opportune if I could then lay 
the sketch before the dear Electoral Prince, who is to honor 
the f^e with his presence. He is a connoisseur, and interests 
himself greatly in such things. Say, then, how comes on your 
sketch, and can it be completed by that time? ” 

It can, noble sir! But it is not possible for me to speak 


238 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


about that now, for my thoughts are wandering and my heart 
beats as though ’twere like to burst. If I am to become a 
reasonable man once more, let me — first of all ” 

“ See the picture which I promised to show you? inter- 
posed the count. Well, then, you shall see it. Master Gabriel 
Metzel. Remember, though, that I only show it to you on 
condition that you examine it in silence. So soon as you shall 
venture to speak to it, it vanishes, and you see it never more. 
One has to prescribe strict regulations to you, for you are such 
an odd fellow, freely entertaining bad thoughts, but shrinking 
from bad deeds like an innocent child. But you shall prove 
to me by deeds that you are in earnest about making amends 
for your crime against me, the world, the laws, and the Church. 
Only when you have done the right thing shall you again 
obtain your beloved and your child, and may depart un- 
hindered from this country. Mark that, Master Metzel; and 
now come. Follow me to my picture gallery.” 

He nodded smilingly to the painter, and led the way out 
of the cabinet and through a suite of magnificent apartments. 
At the end of these they entered a spacious, lofty hall, whose 
walls were hung with great paintings. 

" This is my picture gallery,” said the count on entering; 
now look and be silent! ” 

Gabriel Nietzel remained standing near the door, and 
leaned against one of its pillars. He could proceed no farther, 
his knees shook so, and all the blood in his body seemed to 
concentrate in head and heart. He shut his eyes, for it seemed 
to him that he must expire that very moment. But finally, 
by a mighty effort of will, he conquered this passionate emo- 
tion, slowly opened his eyes, and ventured to cast a weary, 
wandering glance through the hall. How wonderfully solemn 
this broad, handsome room seemed to him, and how devout 
and prayerful was his mind! A mild, clear light fell from 
the glass cupola above, which alone illuminated the hall, and 
displayed the pictures on the walls to the best advantage. In 
the middle of the room, beside the splendid porphyry vase 
standing there upon its gilded pedestal, leaned the tall, ath- 
letic form of Count Schwarzenberg, casting a long, dark 
shadow upon the shining surface of the inlaid floor. Gabriel 


REBECCA. 


239 


Nietzel saw all this, and yet he felt as if he were dreaming, 
and that all would vanish so soon as he should venture to move 
or step forward. The count’s voice aroused him from his 
stupefaction. 

Now, Master Nietzel, come here, for from this point you 
can best survey the pictures, and judge of their merits.” 

Nietzel advanced with long strides, breathless from ex- 
pectation, blissful in hope. Now he stooJ at the count’s side, 
and lifted his eyes to the pictures. With one rapid glance he 
swept the whole wall. Paintings, beautiful, costly paintings, 
hut what cared he for them? Glorious in the pomp of color- 
ing, and perfect in their truth to nature, they looked down 
upon him out of their broad gilt frames, hut he had no senses 
for them. His eyes fastened again and again upon that broad, 
massive gold frame which hung opposite him in the center 
of the wall. The painting which this frame inclosed could 
not be seen, for it was hidden from view by the green silk 
drapery hanging before it, and at the side of the frame was 
suspended a string. Gabriel Nietzel saw nothing of’ the paint- 
ings, he only saw the green curtain, only the string which 
kept it fast. His whole soul spoke in the glance which he 
directed to them. 

Count Schwarzenberg intercepted this glance and smiled. 

'^You are certainly thinking of Raphael’s exquisite Ma- 
donna,” he said, and because that is always seen from the 
midst of a green curtain, you suppose, probably, that behind 
this curtain must also be concealed a Madonna and Child. 
Well, we shall see some day. Stay in your place, stir not, 
speak not, and perhaps a miracle will take place, and you shall 
behold una Madonna col Bambino of flesh and blood. But 
silence, man, for you well know how it is with treasure diggers: 
as soon as you speak, the treasure vanishes. Now, then, look 
and stand still! ” 

He stepped across to the wall and grasped the string. 
The curtain flew back and — there she stood, the Madonna with 
the Child in her arms, so beautiful, so instinct with life and 
warmth, as only nature has ever painted and art imitated 
from nature. There she stood with that richly tinted olive 
complexion, with those transparent, softly reddened cheeks. 


240 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


with those full crimson lips, with those large black eyes at 
once full of mildness and tire, and with that broad and noble 
brow full of depth of thought and yet full of repose. And 
in her arms that sweet child, that vigorous boy so full of life, 
loosely clad in his little white shirt, that left bare his plump 
arms and firm legs. Roses were on his cheeks, dimples in 
his chin, and in the great black eyes lay the deep, earnest 
look, full of innocence and wisdom, that is sometimes peculiar 
to children. 

The painter had sunk upon his knees, stretching out both 
arms to the picture, and from his eyes the tears flowed in clear 
streams over his cheeks. But indignantly he shook them 
away, for they prevented him from seeing the Madonna, his 
Madonna. Prayers he murmured up to her, prayers of love 
and confidence, supplications for steadfastness in danger, 
for courageous perseverance during separation. But he ven- 
tured not to address them audibly to the beloved Madonna, 
for he knew that a mere word would have snatched her away 
from him. 

And she, she knew it too, and therefore she also was 
silent. Only with her eyes she spoke to him, and the tears 
which flowed from her eyes gave eloquent reply to his. Thus 
they looked at one another, at once full of bliss and pain. 
The child, which until now had sat quiet upon its mother’s 
arm, silent and as if in deep thought, suddenly began to move. 
Its large eyes were fixed upon the man who lay there on his 
knees, and, whether it were the result of an involuntary move- 
ment or the instinct of love, it spread out its arms and smiled. 

My child, my darling child! ” screamed Gabriel Metzel, 
springing from his knees and rushing forward with out- 
stretched arms. But the frame with its living picture hung 
too high — his arms could not reach it, his lips could not touch 
that smiling, childish mouth to press upon it a father’s kiss 
of blessing and seal of love. “ My child! ” he cried again, 
and now, since love had once opened his lips, silence could 
no longer be maintained. 

Rebecca, my beloved,” he cried. 

Gabriel, my beloved,” sounded down. 

You have broken your word! ” cried Count Schwarzen- 


REBECCA. 


241 


berg angrily, and he vehemently drew the string, so that the 
green curtain hastily rustled together. But it was in vain. 
A rounded, powerful female arm thrust it back, and now it 
was no more a Madonna with her Child who looked forth 
from the green curtain, but a glowing creature, a wife flaming 
with indignation and love, with defiance and grief. 

“ Nobody shall hinder me from looking at you, from speak- 
ing to you! she cried. I will see you, Gabriel. I will tell 
you, that I love you and am true to you. I will tell you that 
I would rather go barefoot through the world, begging with 
you and the child, than to live longer in this count’s grand 
castle, amid splendor, without you. Gabriel, rescue me from 
this place; do all that they require of you, only take me away 
from here.” 

Rebecca, I will rescue you, for I can not live without 
you — without you the world is a desert to me. You are my 
sun and the light of my life.” 

Gabriel, release me, while yet there is time. They will 
make a Christian of me, and I shall renounce my faith and 
my salvation, in order to be with you again, but afterward I 
shall die of repentance.” 

Rebecca, I shall release you, and I too am ready to re- 
nounce my salvation in order to be with you. But I will not 
die of repentance, for I shall have you again, and when I look 
upon you and the child I shall feel no repentance.” 

Gabriel, release me, give back to me my happiness, my 
home, my family. For you are all that to me, and without 
you the world is a desert.” 

Without you the world is a wilderness, Rebecca. Swear 
to me that you love me! ” 

swear to you, by the God of my fathers, that I love 

you! ” 

^^And would you love me if the whole world despised 
me? ” 

"What matters the world to me? Would I still love 
you? I would love you more fervently yet if all the world 
despised you, for then you would be like me. They despise 
me too, and turn away contemptuously from me, and yet I 
have done nothing bad.” 


242 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Would you love me, Rebecca, even if I had committed 
a crime?” 

‘‘What do men call crime? Do they not say that you 
commit a crime in loving me? Would they not say, too, that 
the priest who blessed our union was a criminal? Be what- 
ever you may, do what you will, I shall love you still. Your 
soul is my soul, and my heart is your heart. Release me, 
Gabriel, release me! ” 

“I will release you, Rebecca; in four days you shall be 
free, and we shall journey away from here, and return to 
Italy, never to leave it again.” 

“To Italy!” rejoiced she — “to my home! Oh, my Ga- 
briel, I shall not merely love you, I shall worship you — you 
will be to me the Saviour, the Messiah, in whom my people 
have hoped so long! I ” 

“ Now that is enough,” cried Count Schwarzenberg, who 
had been silent hitherto, because he felt well how much Re- 
becca’s words forwarded his own plans. “ Now that is enough 
of refractoriness! Come, Gabriel Nietzel, and you, Rebecca, 
step back, or I shall have your child taken away, and you 
shall never see it again! ” 

“ Go, Rebecca, go! ” cried Gabriel Nietzel cheerfully. 
“ You remain with me, even if you go, and I shall still see and 
speak to you when I am far from you. Four days only, and 
then we shall be reunited! ” 

“ I am going, Gabriel! I shall spend all these four days 
praying for you — to your and my God! ” 

“Sir Count!” cried Nietzel in cheerful tones — “Sir 
Count, let us now return to your cabinet. I have something 
important to communicate to you.” 

He cast not another look up at the curtain; he had no 
longer any sense of pain in her disappearance, but this was 
his one absorbing thought, that in four days he would again 
embrace his Rebecca, and that it lay in the power of his own 
hands to deserve her. With firm steps he followed the count, 
who now again led him out of the hall and into his cabinet. 

“ Well, speak. Master Gabriel! ” cried the count; “ what 
have you to say to me? ” 

Nietzel drew a paper from his breast pocket, and handed 


REBECCA. 


243 

it to the count. See, yonr excellency, here is the sketch of 
the painting I am to make for yon.^’ 

Truly, a precious sketch,” said Schwarzenherg, examin- 
ing the paper attentively. “ That looks like a Holy Supper.” 

It is no Holy Supper, hut a very unholy dinner.” 

“ In the middle of the table I see sitting a man and a 
youth. The man wears a crown upon his head and the youth 
wears a princely coronet.” 

“ It is the Elector and the Electoral Prince,” explained 
Gabriel Nietzel. j 

" Yes, indeed, the portraits are theirs. And beside them 
sits the Electress, and beside her I see myself, and quite gor- 
geously have you dressed me, with a princely ermined mantle 
about my shoulders and a prince’s diadem upon my brow. 
But what is that which I hold in my hand and offer to the 
Electress ? ” 

“ It is a lachrymatory, your excellency.” 

And yet the Electress smiles. Sir Painter.” 

She takes the lachrymatory for a golden vase, which 
your excellency is presenting to her as a present.” 

You are witty, it seems. Master Gabriel,” said the count 
sharply. But that your portraits are good must be admitted, 
and your sketch is altogether charming. Only you have 
sketched for me there a joyous festival, and, if I remember 
rightly, I ordered of you a picture which should represent the 
death of Julius Caesar, or some such murderous occasion. 
But I see no dagger and no murderer in this sketch.” 

Only look at that man standing behind the Electoral 
Prince.” 

“ Ah, I see him now. Why, master, that is your own like- 
ness! ” 

Yes, your excellency, my own likeness. You grant me 
your permission, then, to appear at the feast? ” 

‘^Why not? Paul Veronese, too, has introduced his own 
portrait among those of his banqueters. What is your image 
there handing to the Electoral Prince in that basket ? ” 

“ A piece of white bread, most gracious sir, nothing more.” 

Ah, a piece of white bread! You have become, it seems, 
the young Electoral Prince’s lackey, have laid your character 


244 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


as artist ■upon the shelf, and become body page to the gracious 
Prince? ” 

It seems so, most gracious sir,’^ replied Metzel with 
solemn voice. But see here, the truth lies on this page.’’ 

And he handed the count a second sheet of paper. 

“ What do I see? Something seems to have disturbed the 
banquet.” 

Yes, your excellency, very greatly disturbed it. Do you 
still see the man who stood behind the Electoral Prince ? ” 

No, I see him nowhere.” 

^‘He has fled, your excellency. He is the murderer of 
the Electoral Prince, who is borne out senseless.” 

Of the Electoral Prince? Conrad the Third, you mean! 
Eor was it not the murder of the last of the Hohenstaufens 
which you promised me?” 

Yes, your excellency, and I will perform my promise if 
the sketch pleases you.” 

It pleases me very much, and it suits me perfectly,” re- 
plied the count, whose glance remained ever directed to the 
two sketches. Yes, yes,” he continued slowly, “ I under- 
stand, and the design has my approval,, for it is simple and 
natural. You have your plan complete in your head? ” 

Quite complete, your excellency.” 

Then it is not necessary to talk any more about it, or to 
preserve the sketches,” said the count, slowly tearing the two 
papers into little bits. 

You are right, count, it is not necessary to preserve the 
sketches, since I soon expect to carry them out on a large 
scale. But we have something else to talk about, your ex- 
cellency.” 

Schwarzenberg looked in amazement at the painter, whose 
voice had now lost its reverential expression, and was very Arm 
and determined. 

^^We have only to speak upon such subjects as I may 
choose, master,” he said haughtily. 

No, Sir Count,” retorted Nietzel decidedly; but we 
have to speak about what follows the completion of my paint- 
ing. We must speak of that, even should it not please your 
excellency. On Sunday your banquet takes place; on that 


REBECCA. 


245 


day I should like to set off for Italy with my wife and child, 
and leave Germany forever.” 

Do so, Master Nietzel, I strongly advise yon to do so.^’ 
Will your excellency condescend to assist me thereto?” 
Joyfully, from the bottom of my heart, my dear Metzel. 
You would travel to Italy. First of all you want funds for 
your journey, I suppose. Here, Master Metzel, here I transmit 
to you a pockethook containing twelve hundred dollars — ^your 
pension, which I pay you in advance for two years.” 

“ I thank your excellency,” said Gabriel, taking the pocket- 
hook. “ The principal thing, though, is, how am I to get 
at my wife and child? Am I to come here to fetch them 
away? ” 

“ Hot so. Master Metzel. I shall send Rebecca and the 
child to you at your lodgings in Berlin.” 

“ Before or after the banquet? ” 

After the banquet, of course.” 

But if you do not do so, your excellency. If you should 
forget your promise to poor Gabriel Metzel? ” 

Ah! you mistrust me, do you, Mr. Gabriel Metzel? ” 

Do you not mistrust me, too. Sir Count? Have you not 
taken my Rebecca and my child as pledges for my keeping 
my word? Have you not deprived me of what is most precious 
to me in this world, not to he restored until I have fulfilled 
my oath to you? But what pledge have I that you will keep 
your word, and what means have I for forcing you to fulfill 
your oath to me?” 

You have my word as security — the word of a noble- 
man, who has never yet forfeited his pledge,” said Count 
Schwarzenherg solemnly. I swear to you that on the day 
of the banquet your Rebecca and your child shall he at your 
lodgings in Berlin, and that you will find them there on your 
return from the banquet. I swear this by the Holy Virgin 
Mary and by Jesus Christ the only-hegotten Son, and in 
affirmation of my solemn oath I lay my right hand here upon 
this crucifix.” 

The count strode across to his escritoire, and laid his 
hand upon the crucifix of alabaster and gold, which stood 
upon it. I swear and vow,” he cried, that next Sunday 


246 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


I shall send to Gabriel Nietzel’s lodging his Eebecca and her 
child, and that he shall find them there when he returns from 
the banquet. Are you content now, Master Gabriel Nietzel? ” 
I am content. Sir Count. Farewell! And God grant 
that we may never meet again on earth! 

He greeted the count with a passing inclination of his 
head, and left the apartment without waiting for his dis- 
missal. 


VII. — The Offer. 

And now,’’ murmured Gabriel Metzel to himself, as he 
stepped out upon the street — now for work, without hesi- 
tancy and without delay, for there is no other way of escap- 
ing from that cruel tiger who has me in his clutches. He 
is athirst for blood, and I must sacrifice to him the blood of 
another man in order to save that of my wife and child! But, 
woe to him, woe, if he does not keep his word, if he acts the 
part of traitor toward me! But I will not think of that, I 
dare not think of it, for I have need of all my presence of 
mind in order to prepare everything. First, I must speak 
to the Electoral Prince; that is the most important thing.” 

He went hack to Berlin, and repaired forthwith to the 
palace. The Electoral Prince was at home, and the lackey 
who had announced the court painter Gabriel Nietzel now 
reverentially opened for him the door of the princely apart- 
ment. 

Well, here you are, my dear Gabriel,” cried the Electoral 
Prince affably. “ Welcome, to receive my thanks for the zeal 
and dispatch with which you attended to the removal of my 
effects. Truly you merit praise, for I am told that you ar- 
rived in Berlin before me. We had contrary winds, it is true, 
and had to lie at anchor before Cuxhaven for fourteen days. 
Well, say, master, how are you pleased with Berlin? ” 

^^Very well, your highness,” replied Nietzel gloomily, 
looking into the pale, sad countenance of the Electoral Prince 
with a glance full of strange meaning. 


THE OFFER. 247 

Why do you look so inquiringly at me, master? asked 
the Prince restively. 

“ Pardon me, most gracious sir, I will not do so again, 
said Gabriel, casting down his eyes. “ I have something to 
say to your highness, and I would fain gather the needed cour- 
age therefor from your countenance.” 

Do so then, master, look at me and speak.” 

“ Step into the middle of the room, gracious sir, and per- 
mit me to come close to you; then I will speak, for I shall know 
then that no one can overhear us.” 

The Electoral Prince did as Gabriel requested. The latter 
stepped close up to his side. “Most gracious sir,” said he, 
“ have you confidence in me? ” 

“ Yes, Gabriel Metzel, I have confidence in you.” 

“ Then hear what I have to tell you. Ask no questions, 
require no intelligence and explanations. Hear my warning, 
and act accordingly. Count Schwarzenberg plots against your 
life! ” 

“ Do you believe that? ” said the Electoral Prince, smiling. 

“ He has invited you to a feast, which is to take place on 
Sunday. At that feast you are to be poisoned.” 

The Electoral Prince started, and a transient fiush gleamed 
upon his cheeks. “ Whence know you that, Gabriel Nietzel? ” 

“I beseech you ask me no questions, hut believe me. 
Will your highness do so? — dare I speak further? ” 

“Well, I will believe you. Speak further. Master Ga- 
briel.” 

“ I told you thus much, that you were to he poisoned at 
Count Adam von Schwarzenherg’s banquet. The count’s 
valet has been bribed by him; he will have the honor of wait- 
ing upon you at the feast, and he will therefore present to 
you all you eat or drink, even down to the bread. Do not 
accept them from him, your highness, especially the bread.” 

“ I shall at least eat nothing, Gabriel Metzel.” 

“ When he sees that, he will offer you some fruit or viand 
which will prove hurtful to you. The count’s valet must not 
stand behind your seat, that is the principal thing; an- 
other must take his place, another, on whose fidelity you may 
rely.” 


1 


248 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Who is that other? Where is the man to be found in 
these parts on whose fidelity I may rely? ” 

You may rely upon me, Prince. I will stand behind 
your chair, I will wait upon you at Count Schwarzenberg’s 
feast.” 

‘^You, Gabriel Nietzel, you?” asked Frederick William, 
and his eyes were fixed upon the painter with a long glance 
of inquiry. Gabriel Metzel sustained this glance, and suc- 
ceeded in forcing a smile upon his lips. 

I will be your valet at the feast. I will stand behind 
your chair and wait upon you.” 

Impossible, Gabriel. How could we manage that with- 
out insulting the count? ” 

“ Very simply, your highness. Have the kindness to say 
that you brought me with you, in order that I might make 
for you a painting of the banquet, and to that end sketch the 
outlines, and that, to furnish a pretext for my presence, you 
have allowed me to appear as your page.” 

It is true, that will suit! You have weighed all excel- 
lently, Gabriel Metzel, and your plan is good.” 

^‘And you accept it, gracious sir, do you not, you ac- 
cept it?” 

Frederick William was silent, and his large, deep-blue eyes 
were again fixed testingly and questioningly upon the paint- 
er’s countenance. After a long pause he slowly laid his hand 
upon Gabriel’s shoulder, and his looks brightened. 

“ Gabriel Metzel,” he said solemnly, I will have confi- 
dence in you, I will assume that God sends you to me to save 
me; I will not assume that Count Schwarzenberg sends you 
to me to ruin me. You shall accompany me to the feast and 
stand behind my chair as page.” 

Gabriel Metzel only answered by the tears, which in clear 
streams gushed from his eyes. Oh, you weep,” cried the 
Electoral Prince. “ How I see well that you mean honestly, 
and that I can trust you, for your tears speak for you.” 

Just then the lackey opened the door of the antechamber 
and announced, The commandant of Kiistrin, Colonel von 
Burgsdorf, wishes to pay his respects! ” 

Let him wait an instant; I will summon him directly.” 


THE OFFER. 


249 


Most gracious sir/’ murmured Nietzel, when the door 
had again closed, “ dismiss me in the colonel’s presence, and 
immediately, that the spies may not have it to say that there 
has been to-day a meeting of Count Schwarzenberg’s enemies 
here.” 

Are there spies here too, Gabriel? ” 

“ Everywhere, sir, each of your servants is bribed, and 
you must suspect them. Dismiss me, sir, dismiss me.” 

The Electoral Prince went to the door and opened it. 

“ Colonel von Burgsdorf, come in! ” 

“ Here I am, most gracious sir, here I am! ” cried Burgs- 
dorf’s rough voice, and with clashing sword and glittering 
corselet Conrad von Burgsdorf entered the room. The Elec- 
toral Prince nodded to him, and then turned to the painter, 
who humbly and with lowered head had crept away toward the 
door. “ Master Metzel,” he said, with a condescending wave of 
the hand, go now, and be careful to carry out my instruc- 
tions. I will request my mother to do me the kindness to 
sit to you every day for her portrait, which you are to paint 
for me. Make all your preparations, and come early to-morrow 
morning with the canvas stretched.” 

^^Your highness’s commands shall be punctually exe- 
cuted,” said Gabriel Hietzel, and, after reverentially bowing, 
he left the room. 

And now for you, my dear Burgsdorf! ” cried the Elec- 
toral Prince, advancing a few paces to meet the colonel, and 
kindly offering him his hand. You are heartily welcome, 
and let me hope that I, too, am welcome to you and your 
friends.” 

“ Your highness, you are more than welcome to us — you 
have been longed for by us, and we thank God from the depths 
of our souls that he has finally given you back to us. All had 
already abandoned hope of your return to us. All really be- 
lieved that you would forsake us in our wretchedness and 
want, and would never more return to the unhappy Mark of 
Brandenburg. But here you are at last, my dearest young 
sir, and blessed be your coming and your staying.” 

^‘1 thank you, colonel, thank you with my whole heart 
for your good wishes,” said Frederick William kindly; and 


250 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


trust me, my dear colonel, I know how to treasure them, and 
will never forget you for these. You are one of the faithful 
ones, on whom our house can count in evil as in good days, 
and on whom an Elector of Brandenburg would never call in 
vain, if he had need of him.” 

Call upon us, most gracious sir,” said the colonel briskly 
and joyfully — call all your faithful ones, and you shall see 
they will all come, for they are only waiting for your sum- 
mons.” 

The Electoral Prince smilingly shook his head. am 
not the Elector of Brandenburg, and I have not the right to 
summon you.” 

You shall and must be Elector of Brandenburg, and that 
you may be so, you must gather your faithful ones around 
you.” 

I do not understand you,” said the Electoral Prince 
slowly. Whether I will ever be Elector of Brandenburg, 
God only can decide, for in his hands lies my father’s life as 
well as my own. May the day be far distant when I enter upon 
the succession — may my venerated father for long years to 
come rule his land in peace and tranquillity. I long not to 
grasp the reins of government, for I know very well that I am 
yet much too young to guide them with wisdom and pru- 
dence.” 

You will not understand me, your highness,” cried the 
colonel impatiently, and his red swollen face glowed with a 
brighter hue. But I must still try to make you understand, 
for to that very end have I been sent hither by your friends; 
they have chosen me as spokesman for them all, and there- 
fore I must speak, if your highness will grant me leave so 
to do.” 

Speak, my dear colonel, speak, and may God enlighten 
my heart, that I may rightly understand you! Let us sit 
down, colonel, and now let us hear what is the matter.” 

This is the matter, your highness, the Mark of Branden- 
burg is lost to you, if you do not seize it now with swift, de- 
termined hand. You do not believe me, sir; you shake your 
head incredulously and smile. Ah! I see plainly, that you 
have been suffered to remain in great darkness as regards the 


THE OFFER. 


251 


situation of affairs here, and you know very little of our suf- 
ferings and our distresses. You know not that poverty and 
want prevail throughout the whole land; that the peasant, 
the burgher, the nobleman, all classes of the people, in short, 
are equally oppressed; that trade and commerce lie prostrate; 
and the aim of each one is only how he may prolong a wretched 
existence from day to day.” 

Nevertheless, my dear colonel, I know that. I saw 
enough solitary, ruined villages, waste and empty towns, un- 
cultivated and ravaged fields on my journey hither to prove 
to me what the poor inhabitants of the Mark have had to 
suffer in these evil days of war.” 

Have had to suffer, says your highness?” cried Burgs- 
dorf impatiently; they still suffer continuously, and their 
suffering will he without cessation or end if your highness 
does not take pity upon the poor people, upon us all.” 

“ I? ” asked Frederick William, astonished. What then 
can I do? ” 

You can do everything, my Prince, everything, and in 
the name of your future country, in the name of your sub- 
jects, I beseech you to do so. The Mark Brandenburg stands 
upon the brink of a precipice. Save it. Electoral Prince. 
The religion, policy, and independence of Brandenburg are in 
danger; take your sword in hand and save her. Speak three 
words, three little insignificant words, and all the noblemen 
in the Mark will rally exultingly about you, and the people 
will flock to you in crowds, and make you so mighty and so 
strong that you need only to will and your will shall he exe- 
cuted.” 

''What three words are those. Sir Colonel von Burgs- 
dorf ? ” 

"Those three w^ords, your highness, which the people 
shouted up at the palace window yesterday, when you got 
home. The three words, ' Down with him! ^ ” 

" Down with him,’’ repeated the Electoral Prince. " And 
who is this him ? ” 

"It is Count Schwarzenherg, your highness — it is the 
minister who rules here in the Mark as if it were his own 
property, and as if he were not your father’s Stadtholder, but 
17 


252 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


the reigning Prince, who had obtained the Mark as a fief 
from the Emperor of Germany, to whom alone he were re- 
sponsible. Look about you, Frederick William, look at these 
poor, wretched apartments, in which you live — look at the 
decay of the princely house, the embarrassments with which 
your father has to contend, and the privations which your 
mother and sisters have to undergo. And then. Prince, then 
look across at Broad Street, at Count Schwarzenberg’s palace. 
There all is glory and splendor, there are to he seen lackeys in 
golden liveries, costly equipages, handsomely furnished halls. 
They practice wanton luxury, they live amid pomp and pleas- 
ure, arrange magnificent hunts and splendid entertainments, 
while the people cry out for hunger. They make merry in 
Count Schwarzenherg’s palace, and while the burgher, whose 
last cent he has seized for the payment of taxes and imposts, 
creeps about in rags, he struts by in velvet clothes, decked out 
with gold and precious stones, and laughingly boasts that half 
the Mark of Brandenburg might he bought at the price of 
one of his court suits. Most gracious Prince, yesterday the 
steward of your father, with the Electoral consent, brought 
out the velvet caps which had been kept in the Electoral ward- 
robe, took off the genuine silver lace with which the}^ were 
trimmed, and sold it to the J ews, in order to pay the servants 
their month’s wages,* and the count’s servants yesterday re- 
ceived new liveries, so thickly set with gold lace that the scarlet 
cloth was hardly distinguishable underneath. The Stadt- 
holder in the Mark revels in superfiuity, while the Elector 
in the Mark almost suffers want, and esteems himself happy 
if he can give one piece of land after another to his minister 
as security for the payment of debt. Oh, it is enough to drive 
one to despair, and make him tear his hair for rage and grief, 
when he sees the state of things here, and must perceive that 
the Elector is nothing and the Stadtholder everything. To 
his adherents he gives offices and dignities, and those whom 
he knows to he attached to the interests of the Electoral family 
he removes from court, and replaces by his favorites and serv- 
ants. Upon the Colonels von Kracht and von Rochow he 


* Historical. Vide King, Description of Berlin, part 1. 


THE OFFER. 


^53 


has bestowed good positions, making them commandants of 
Berlin and Spandow, with double salaries, but me, whom he 
knows to be the faithful servant of the Electoral family, he 
has banished from court and sent to Kustrin with only half 
as high a salary as the other two have. From the Electoral 
privy council he has also removed all those gentlemen who 
were hold enough to lift up their voices against him, and has 
introduced such men as say yes to everything that he desires 
and asks. No longer does an honest, upright word reach the 
Electoral ear, and while the whole people lament and cry out 
against Schwarzenherg, fearing him as they do the devil him- 
self, our Elector fancies that his Stadtholder is as much be- 
loved by the people of the Mark Brandenburg as by the Em- 
peror at Vienna. But it is just so; Catholics and Imperialists 
will Schwarzenherg make us; ever he presses us further and 
further from our comrades in the faith, the Swedes and Dutch; 
ever he draws us closer to the Catholics; and if he could suc- 
ceed in making the Elector Catholic, removing all Evangel- 
ists and Reformers from court, and putting Catholics in their 
places, then he would rejoice and obtain a high reward from 
the Emperor and Pope.^^ 

And you believe, Burgsdorf, that he will do such a thing, 
and esteem such a thing possible?” asked the Electoral 
Prince, with a sly smile. 

I believe that he will, and we all believe so. And with 
the Stadtholder to will is to do, for he carries through all that 
he undertakes. But we will not suffer it. Prince, we will not 
be turned into Imperialists and Catholics. We will hold to 
our Elector and our religion; we will not suffer and submit 
to our Elector’s being any longer in dependence upon Emperor 
and empire, and nothing at all but a powerless tool in Schwarz- 
enberg’s hands. We want a free Elector, who has courage and 
power to defy the Emperor himself, and league himself with 
the Swedes against him. For the Swedes are our rightful 
allies, not merely because the mother of the little Queen Chris- 
tina is sister to our Elector, but also because we are neigh- 
bors, and of one religion and one faith. Oh, my gracious 
young sir, do not allow Schwarzenherg to make us Catholics 
and Imperialists! Free your country, your subjects, and your- 


254 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


self from this man, who weighs upon us like a scourge from 
God! 

But, Burgsdorf, just consider what you say there. 1, 
who have but just returned from a three years’ absence, I, 
who am almost a stranger to these combinations and circum- 
stances, I am to free you from this most mighty and influ- 
ential man, the Stadtholder in the Mark! I should like to 
know how to go about it.” 

Gracious sir, I will tell you,” replied Burgsdorf, with 
smothered voice and coming close up to the Prince. Only 
say that you will place yourself at our head; give me only a 
couple of words in your own handwriting to give assurance 
to your friends and adherents that you will at their head battle 
for your good rights and for the faith and law of the land. 
Do this, and then just wait eight days.” 

“ And what will happen after these eight days? ” 

“ Then will happen that you shall see an army assembled 
about you, my Prince, in eight days. We have all been long 
making our preparations in secret, and putting everything 
in position, to be able to break forth as soon as you should 
appear and place yourself at our head. Every nobleman be- 
longing to our party has procured arms and ammunition for 
the equipment of his people, and a brave, well-appointed host 
will be ready to execute your orders. You will take Schwarz- 
enberg prisoner in his proud palace; you will be able by per- 
sistency to drive the Elector to dismiss the hated minister and 
his hated son from their offices and dignities, and to banish 
them forever from the country. You will be able to force 
the Elector to nominate you Schwarzenberg’s successor, and 
then, having the power in your own hands, it only depends 
upon yourself to break with the Emperor, to recognize the 
peace of Prague no longer, but to renew the alliance with the 
Swedes, and united with them to battle against the encroach- 
ments of the Emperor, and in behalf of religion! ” 

Just see, colonel, you have your plan already cut and 
dried! ” cried the Prince. If I should accede to it I would 
have nothing further to do than to execute what you have 
previously determined and arranged, and I should be nothing 
more than a tool in your hands. Now, I must confess to you 


THE OFFER. 


255 


that such a part would not at all suit me, even if I were ready 
to fall in with your plans. But I am not ready to do so, and 
am thoroughly indisposed to accept your proposition.” 

You are not inclined to do so?” asked the colonel, 
shocked. Not even,” he continued more softly, “ when I 
tell you that the Electress knows our plans and consents to 
them? ” 

Not even then, colonel. However much I love my 
mother, yet in this matter I can not suffer myself to be guided 
by her wishes. No, Colonel von Burgsdorf, I am not minded 
to go into your plans; for have you well considered what you 
require of me? You ask me to head a revolution, to give you 
a deed of rebellion, and to call upon the noblemen of the coun- 
try to revolt against their rightful Sovereign. You ask me, 
as a rebel and agitator, and yet at the same time only as your 
tool, to do force and violence to my lord and father, and to 
force him to dismiss his minister, to alter his system, and to 
make enemies of his friends and friends of his enemies. Truly, 
you offer me a great advantage in prospective, and are good 
enough to propose that I step into Count Schwarzenherg’s 
place and rule the country in the Elector’s name, as he has 
done. But I am not blind to my own shortcomings, and do 
not overestimate myself. I know very well that I am as yet 
but an inexperienced young man, who has still a great deal 
to learn, and is by no means in a position to take the place 
of so distinguished and adroit a statesman as Count Schwarz- 
enberg. I must yet go to school to him, and learn from him 
statecraft and policy.” 

^^Will you learn from him, gracious sir?” criqd Burgs- 
dorf passionately. Would you go to school to him, to that 
Catholic, that Imperialist? ” 

^^Tell me a better schoolmaster for my father’s son?” 
asked the Electoral Prince softly. “ My father has bestowed 
full confidence upon him for these twenty years past, he has 
adhered firmly and faithfully to him in evil as well as in pros- 
perous days, and therefore I conclude that the count is worthy 
of this unshaken confidence, and must well deserve his mas- 
ter’s love. It would, therefore, he very disrespectful behavior 
on my part toward my father, and put me in the light of ex- 


256 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


alting myself against him in unchildlike disobedience, if I 
should make the attempt to remove Count Schwarzenherg 
from his side by force. The Elector alone is reigning Sover^ 
eign within his own dominions, and what he concludes must 
be good, and it does not become us to censure or presume 
to know better.” 

Your grace, then, will he nothing hut an obedient and 
submissive son?” asked Burgsdorf in a cutting tone. 

Nothing further, Burgsdorf,” replied Frederick William 
quietly. “ May my father yet live to rule long years in peace; 
I am still young, I am learning and waiting.” 

You are learning and waiting,” cried Burgsdorf, beside 
himself, and meanwhile your land is going wholly to ruin; 
the people are hungry and in despair; the noblemen are re- 
duced to beggary or have, in their desperation, gone over to 
Schwarzenherg — ^that is to say, to the Emperor — who pays a 
rich annuity to each one who adheres faithfully to him. And 
when your grace has waited and learned enough, then will 
come the day when Count Schwarzenherg will hunt you from 
your heritage, even as he has hunted the Margrave of Jagern- 
dorf; then will the Emperor give the Mark Brandenburg 
away, as he has done with Jagerndorf, and his favorite, 
Schwarzenherg, is here ready to receive the welcome donation. 
He has already ruled the Mark Brandenburg twenty years in 
the Emperor’s name, why should he not rule the Mark as its 
independent Sovereign? Oh, gracious sir, it makes me rav- 
ing mad just to think of it, and I can not believe that you 
are in earnest, that you actually thrust from you myself and 
those loyal to you, and will not enter into our plans. My dear 
Prince, I have known you all your life. I have carried you 
in my arms as a little hoy; I have borne you under my cloak 
when you went with your mother to Kiistrin; I have staked 
upon you all the hopes of my life; and it would he a hitter 
grief to me to be obliged to think that you will have nothing 
to do with me and all your friends.” 

And think you, man,” asked the Electoral Prince, that 
it would he no grief to my father if I should step forward 
as his adversary? Think you that it would make for him a 
good name in history should the son present himself as his 


THE OFFER. 257 

father’s enemy? No, Burgsdorf; I repeat it to yon, I am 
learning and waiting.” 

‘‘ And I ? I have waited twenty years, to learn in this 
hour that all my waiting has been in vain. The Mark is lost, 
and you. Electoral Prince, with it. I shall tell your mother, 
I shall tell your friends, that you are lost to us. Farewell, 
sir, and, if you will, go to Count Schwarzenherg and tell him 
that I am a traitor and conspirator. I shall go back to Kiis- 
trin, and if I were not ashamed, I could weep over myself and 
you. No, I am not ashamed; look, sir, at least you have con- 
strained me.” 

And the tears gushed from his eyes, and fell down upon 
his grizzly, gray heard. He clapped his hands before his face 
and sobbed aloud. The Electoral Prince turned pale. He 
fixed a glance full of confidence and love upon the colonel, 
and had already opened his lips for an answer, which he would 
probably have afterward repented, when Burgsdorf suddenly 
drew his hands from before his face and angrily shook his 
head. 

am a fool! ” he said furiously, and it would serve me 
right, old baby that I am, if you should laugh at me. Fare- 
well! ” 

He made a formal military salute, turned abruptly and 
crossed the apartment to the door. Now, when his hand was 
already upon the latch, the Electoral Prince made a few steps 
forward. Colonel Burgsdorf turned about. 

Did you call me, sir? ” 

No, colonel, farewell! ” 

The door closed, and Frederick William was alone. His 
large blue eyes were directed toward heaven with a look of 
inexpressible grief. 

have in this hour offered up a greater sacrifice than 
Abraham, when he sacrificed his son to his God,” he whis- 
pered. Has God accepted my sacrifice, will he in his mercy 
some day reward me for it? ” 


258 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


yill. — The Banquet. 

The city of Berlin was to-day in a state of unusual stir 
and excitement. Everybody made haste to finish his noon- 
day meal, and nobody thought of complaining especially that 
this repast was so sparingly provided and served in such small 
portions, and that the dread specter of hunger was ever stalk- 
ing nearer to the inhabitants of the unhappy, much-plagued 
town. They were to-day looking forward to a spectacle — 
one, moreover, for which no money was to be paid, which 
could be had gratis, just by being upon the street in right time 
and struggling to obtain a good position on the cathedral 
square, before the palace, or much better, before Count 
Schwarzenberg’s palace. For to-day the count gave a great 
banquet in his palace on Broad Street, and it was well worth 
the trouble of contending for a place before the palace, and 
not even being frightened by a few cuffs and blows. The 
whole fashionable world of Berlin, all the nobility of the 
regions round about, were invited to this feast, and the whole 
court was to appear there. And it was so rarely that the 
Electoral family was ever to be seen by the town. They had 
passed almost a year in the Mark, but in such quiet and re- 
tirement did they live that their presence would hardly have 
been recognized if on Sunday in the cathedral church, which 
stood in the center of the square between the palace and 
Broad Street, their lofty personages had not been discernible 
behind the glass panes of the Electoral gallery. But to-day 
they were not to be seen in the seriousness of devotion, with 
their solemn, church-going faces, but in the pomp and splen- 
dor of their exalted station, in the glitter of their earthly 
greatness. And, above all things, they were to see the Elec- 
toral Prince, the Prince who had but just returned home, the 
hope of the downtrodden land, the future of the Mark Bran- 
denburg! 

How the good people hurried with joyful, eager faces 
along toward Broad Street, with what hasty movements did 
they rush across the Spree Bridge! A black, surging throng 
of men stood before the castle on the cathedral square, a dense. 


THE BANQUET. 


259 


motionless mass before Count Schwarzenberg^s palace. Only 
one passage was left free, broad enough to allow the carriage 
to drive across the castle square to the palace, and on both 
sides of this stood the halberdiers of the Stadtholder’s body- 
guard, threateningly presenting their halberds toward those 
who ventured to step forward. The Stadtholder in the Mark 
had his own bodyguard — fine, athletic fellows, of proud bear- 
ing, in splendid uniforms, trimmed everywhere with genuine 
gold and silver lace, while, as everybody knew, the members 
of the Electoral bodyguard wore nothing but imitation lace 
upon their uniforms. The Elector’s bodyguard, indeed, were 
paid and clothed by citizens, and they, on account of their 
want and distress, had refused to pay the last bodyguard tax, 
while the Stadtholder’s bodyguard consisted of members of 
his household and was paid and clothed by himself. And 
Count Schwarzenberg was very rich, and the citizens were 
very poor, but still the count had never once practiced mild- 
ness and mercy, and relieved the poor cities of their taxes and 
imposts, or given of his wealth to their poverty. . 

To-day, however, he gave a fHe, a splendid fHe, and how- 
ever much at other times they dreaded and hated him, his 
fHe they could still look upon, and with longing eyes behold 
all its magnificence. It was, indeed, glorious to look upon, 
and thfey saw, moreover, how much the Stadtholder honored 
and esteemed the Elector, for never before had he displayed 
such splendor, when he merely invited the high nobility. 
Above the grand door of entrance was stretched a canopy of 
crimson cloth, edged with gold, the golden pillars of the 
canopy reaching out even into the street. The four stone 
steps leading from the front door were covered with fine car- 
peting, which also stretched away to the street, to the spot 
where the guests were to alight from their carriages. On both 
sides of the carpet stood serried ranks of the Stadtholder’s 
lackeys in their fiashy gold-trimmed liveries. They were 
headed by the count’s two stewards, with golden wands in 
their hands, broad gold bands about their shoulders, and 
monstrous three-cornered hats upon their heads. It was very 
fine to look upon, and not merely the merry urchins, who 
were swinging upon the iron railings of the count’s park. 


260 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


opposite the palace on the side of the cathedral square, en- 
joyed the spectacle, hut the respectable burgher, with his well- 
dressed wife upon his arm, found his pleasure in it as well. 
The front doors were wide open, and they could look into the 
gorgeous columned hall, decorated with garlands and vases 
of fresh flowers. Yes, it was plainly to be seen that the Stadt- 
holder felt himself greatly honored by the high company he 
was to receive to-day, and this even reconciled the good people 
a little to the proud, imperious Count Schwarzenberg. 

And now the distinguished guests came riding up. There 
were the noblemen from the country round about, in their 
antiquated, rumbling vehicles, drawn by beautiful, hand- 
somely harnessed horses. There were the Quitzows, the Gotzes 
and Krockows, the Billows and Arnims, and as often as a 
carriage arrived the musicians, stationed on both sides of the 
palace, blew a flourishing peal of trumpets, and the noblemen 
bowed right and left, greeting, although no one had greeted 
them except Count Schwarzenberg’s chamberlain, von Lehn- 
dorf, who received the guests upon the threshold of the house. 
But now resounded a loud shouting and huzzaing, rolling 
nearer and ever nearer, like a monstrous wave, and an unusual, 
joyful movement pervaded the densely packed mass of men. 

They come! they come!” sounded from mouth to mouth, 
and small people raised themselves on tiptoe, and tall ones 
turned their heads toward the corner of the cathedral square. 
Already they saw the foot runner, with his plumed hat and 
golden staff, as he came bounding on, then the two foreriders 
in their bright blue liveries, with low, round caps upon their 
heads, and then the electoral equipage, the great gilded coach 
of state, drawn by four black horses. 

^^Who is sitting in the coach of state? Is the Electoral 
Prince in it? Does he come in the same carriage with his 
father? ” 

The people grew dumb from impatience and expectancy, 
in the midst of their cries of joy; they wanted to see! All 
eyes shone with curiosity as the equipage rolled on. Over 
in the park, behind the railing, stood the drummers, and they 
began to beat a roll, which the boys riding on the railing sec- 
onded with genuine rapture. The trumpeters blew a flourish. 


THE BANQUET. 


261 


and now Count Schwarzenberg himself issued from the broad 
palace door, followed by his son, the young Count John 
Adolphus. Ah! how glorious to behold was the Stadtholder 
in the Mark in his official costume as Grand Master of the 
Order of St. John, his breast quite covered with the stars of 
the order, whose gems glittered and sparkled so wondrously; 
and how handsome looked the young count, in his white suit 
of silver brocade, with puffs of purple velvet, his short, 
ermine-edged mantle of purple velvet, confined at the 
shoulders by clasps. The two counts made haste down the 
steps to the equipage. The Stadtholder in his amiable im- 
patience opened the carriage door himself, and offered the 
Elector George William both his hands to assist him in alight- 
ing. And now, laboriously, gasping, with flushed face, and a 
forced smile upon his lips, the Elector dismounted from 
his carriage. Leaning upon his favorite’s arm, slowly and 
clumsily he moved forward to the house, his stout, lofty form 
bent, his gait heavy, and his blue eyes, which were only once 
turned to the gaping multitude, sad — oh, so sad! .The people 
looked with pity and compassion upon the poor, peevish gen- 
tleman, who, in spite of the great Prince’s star upon his 
breast and the Electoral hat with its waving plumes, was not 
by far so splendid to behold as the proud, stately Count Adam, 
who strode along at his side. 

While the Stadtholder was conducting the Elector into 
the palace, the Electress alighted from the carriage, the two 
young Princesses following her. A loud cry of joy and ad- 
miration rang out, and called a smile to the lips of the Elec- 
tress, a deep blush to the cheeks of the Princesses. The Elec- 
tress’s robe, with its long train of gold brocade, was wondrous 
to behold, and above it the blue velvet mantle with black 
ermine trimmings; and how beautifully the diadem of dia- 
monds and sapphires gleamed and sparkled on the brown 
hair of the Princess! Again the Stadtholder came out of the 
palace with hasty steps, flew to the Electress, and offered her 
his arm, to lead her into the palace. Nor need the two Prin- 
cesses walk alone behind; they, too, have their knight — young 
Count Schwarzenberg, who had received the Electress. He 
offered his arm to the Princess Charlotte Louise, which she 


262 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


accepted with a lovely smile and a becoming blush. Ah! 
what a handsome couple that was, and how remarkably their 
dress corresponded, for the Princess was also dressed in silver 
brocade, and from her shoulders fell a mantle of purple velvet 
edged with ermine. The little Princess Sophie Hedwig stepped 
behind her. But who was this young man, who suddenly 
stepped forward, made his way through the throng, and offered 
her his arm? Nobody had seen him or observed him, and 
he had come on foot, accompanied by a single page. Who 
was this handsome young man, in light-blue velvet suit, who 
with the young Princess on his arm mounted the steps with 
her, laughing merrily. 

‘^It is he! It is the Electoral Prince! It is Frederick 
William! Cheers for our Electoral Prince! Hun’ah for Fred- 
erick William! Welcome, welcome home! Long live our 
Electoral Prince! ” 

Within the hall, at the window, stood the Elector, and 
these shouts emanating from thousands of throats darkened 
his countenance. The people had kept silence when their 
Sovereign showed himself to them, and now they exulted on 
seeing his son! 

Without, at the head of the steps, stood the Electoral 
Prince, and the shouting of so many thousand voices sum- 
moned a glad smile to his face. How handsome he was, and 
what a happiness it was to look at him! How like a lion’s 
mane fell his thick, fair brown hair on both sides of his nar- 
row oval face, how like brilliant stars sparkled his large, dark- 
blue eyes, and what bold thoughts were written upon his 
broad, clear brow! And how stately and impressive was his 
figure, too — how slender, and yet how firm and athletic! Yes, 
those broad shoulders were well fitted to bear the burden of 
government, and behind that breast beat surely a strong, great 
heart! 

Long live the Electoral Prince! Three cheers! Long 
live Frederick William! ” 

He bowed once more, nodding and bestowing kind greet- 
ings upon those on both sides, then entered the palace, fol- 
lowed by his page in black velvet suit. 

Who is that page? Nobody observes him, nobody has 


THE BANQUET. 


263 


looked at him. Who troubles himself about the servant when 
he looks at the master? — who asks why the page’s face is so 
pale, why his glance so feverish and restless? Very few know 
the court painter Gabriel Metzel, and those who do know him 
will surely never imagine that it is he who to-day acts as page 
to the Electoral Prince Frederick William. He mingles with 
the host of gold-bedizened servants and lackeys in the entrance 
hall, and follows them into the banqueting hall. The doors 
of the house are closed; for the gaping crowd without the 
festival is ended, for the high-born guests within it is but just 
begun. The two wings of the doors leading into the banquet- 
ing hall are thrown open by the halberdiers, the musicians 
in the gilded balcony to the rear blow a loud, dashing flourish, 
and the Elector enters the hall, followed by the Electress, 
who leans upon the arm of Count Schwarzenberg. On both 
sides of the hall stand the lords and ladies of the nobility, who 
bow down to the ground, nothing being visible but the bowed 
necks of men, the courtesying forms of women — all is rever- 
ence, solemnity, and silence. In the middle of the long table, 
just before that immense, solid mirror of Venetian crystal, are 
the places of the Electoral pair, as may be seen by those throne- 
like armchairs, on whose tall, straight backs is carved a golden 
crown — as may be seen by the glittering gold plate of both 
covers. 

How gorgeously is the long table laid, nothing to be seen 
but gold and silver plate! In the center is a huge piece of 
chased silver, representing Cupids and genii, who in golden 
shells, cornucopias, and vases offer the rarest fruits, the most 
delicious confections! Before each lady’s plate, in wondrously 
cut goblets, is a magniflcent bouquet of flowers; before each 
gentleman’s, a silver bowl. A gold-bedizened lackey is behind 
each chair; two stand behind the chairs of each of their Elec- 
toral Highnesses. 

^^Why stands that page behind the Electoral Prince’s 
ehair?” asks the Stadtholder, loud enough to be heard by 
the Prince, who is near him. 

Frederick William breaks off in the midst of his conversa- 
tion with the young Count John Adolphus, and turns smil- 
ingly to the Stadtholder. 


264 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


“ Pardon, your grace,” says he kindly. I wished to pre- 
serve a memento of this handsome entertainment, the first 
entertainment by which my return home has been solem- 
nized, and with my father’s permission I have brought with 
me the court painter Gabriel Metzel, in order that he may 
look upon the feast and make a sketch of the scene. Since, 
of course, he could have no place at the table, he has as- 
sumed a page’s garb, that he may have the privilege of 
standing behind my chair. I fancy that the vain man would 
willingly immortalize himself in that picturesque costume. 
But as he has put on a page’s clothes, he will also perform 
a page’s part, and I have therefore at his request con- 
sented that he shall wait upon me to-day and hand me all 
my food. Does your grace also grant him this upon my 
bequest? ” 

Oh, most gracious Prince, you need never make requests; 
you have only to command. Away there, you fellows! away 
from the Electoral Prince’s chair, vacate your places for the 
page! Mr. Court Painter Metzel, take good care not to be 
negligent in your duties, to-day be nothing but the Electoral 
Prince’s page so long as we are at table, afterward you can 
again be the court painter! ” 

The page bowed in silence, and Count Schwarzenberg paid 
no further attention to him, but followed the Electoral pair, 
who were making the circuit of the hall, here and there ad- 
dressing a friendly word to some member of the nobility, 
sweeping past before an answer could be stammered forth. 
The circuit was completed; a thrice repeated fiourish of trum- 
pets resounded; the Chamberlain von Lehndorf rushed to the 
window, and with a white handkerchief made a signal down 
to the pleasure garden. Cannon thundered forth salutes, in- 
forming the town that the Elector had just sat down to table, 
that the feast at the house of the Stadtholder in the Mark 
had begun. 

A choice, a sumptuous banquet! Delicious viands, splen- 
did wines! Gradually they forgot a little the requirements 
of rigid etiquette and pompous silence; gradually tongues 
were loosened, and there was talking and laughing; even the 
Elector lost his hard, peevish nature, his face glowed with a 


THE BANQUET. 265 

brighter hue, his form became more elastic, and cheerful 
words sounded from his lips. 

A choice, a sumptuous banquet! The Electress laughed, 
and had totally forgotten that Count Adam Schwarzenberg, 
sitting at her side, was her detested enemy. She chatted as 
cozily and earnestly with him as if he were one of her most 
devoted friends and servants. Opposite her sat her two daugh- 
ters, and Princess Charlotte Louise inclined with a pheasant 
smile toward Count John Adolphus, who sat beside her, and 
had just been painting to her with glowing eloquence the 
glories of the imperial city, gorgeous Vienna. 

Now his bold glance darted across at the Electoral pair; 
they were busy talking and eating; nobody was noticing 
him. 

Princess, dear, adored Princess, do you hear me when I 
speak so softly? ” 

I hear you. Sir Count.” 

Sir Count!” repeated he, sighing. ^^You retract your 
word, then? You thrust me again into the ranks of your 
court cavaliers and counts? You have no longer a word of 
welcome for the poor, pitiable man who worships you, who is 
blessed if he can only look at you, only hear the tones of your 
sweet voice, and who has been longing for this with desire 
and painful rapture for three long months? Not one word 
of welcome for me ? ” 

“ I welcome you — welcome you with my whole heart! 
Have you only been away three months? Were they not three 
years? ” 

“Seems it so to you, my adored mistress? I believe it 
was three hundred years — three eternities. And yet these 
eternities have not altered your angelic face. It is still ever 
radiant in its heavenly, rosy beauty, and not a feature betrays 
that you have suffered on my account, that you have longed 
for me.” 

“ Then my face belies me, for I have longed for you; there- 
fore the months lengthened into years, and it seems to me 
as if I have become a very old, sedate person since I last saw 
you.” 

“ Oh, dearest, how I long for one moment of solitary com- 


266 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


muning with you, when I can kneel at your feet, cover your 
hands with kisses, and tell you how inexpressibly I love you! 
Be not cruel, Louise, in this hour of reunion. Tell me that 
you, too, long for such a moment — that you will grant it 
to me.” 

“And if I should say so, how would it help us? You 
know well that I am watched day and night. My mother 
never lets me leave her side, and our governess watches over 
me still, just as if I were a child that could not walk a step 
without an attendant, nor write a line without her reading it.” 

“ Ah, you dear, sweet angel! if you only loved me half 
as ardently as I love you, your pretty, prudent little head 
would already have devised some means whereby poor John 
Adolphus would not have to plead in vain for one blissful 
moment passed alone with you.” 

“ I love you, John Adolphus, hut oh, I dare not love you! 
The wrath of my mother would he boundless if she even sus- 
pected it.” 

“ She need not suspect it beforehand, nor hear anything 
about it before we are certain of your father’s gracious con- 
sent.” 

“ You esteem that possible? You believe that my father 
will ever consent for me ” 

“ For you to condescend to become my wife? I hope so 
— hope that the Emperor’s favor exalts me a little, so that 
the chasm which separates us is not too great for you to cross, 
for you to carry in your bosom a strong heart and a true love. 
About all these things I must speak with you, sweetest Prin- 
cess, for here we must he cautious. Only see with what earnest 
looks the Electress is already regarding us! Be pitiful, Louise; 
tell me that you will consent to meet me alone for one quarter 
of an hour.” 

“ Pass by the cathedral, then, to-morrow about ten o’clock 
of the forenoon. Old Trude will he there and have a message 
for you, and ” 

“ Long live our most gracious Sovereign! Long live 
George William! ” cried Count Schwarzenherg, rising from 
his seat and holding the golden bumper aloft in his right 
hand. 


THE BANQUET. 


267 


All the guests started from their seats, and joined in the 
shouts: Long live our most gracious Sovereign! Long live 
George William!” And the golden goblets clashed against 
one another, and the trumpets and kettledrums chimed in 
with crashing peals. 

The Electoral Prince, too, would rise from his seat, but 
his head swam, all was whirls and turns before his eyes, and 
he sank back upon his chair. 

Gabriel Nietzel stooped over him. How are you, gracious 
sir? Are you not well? ” 

Quite well as yet, Gabriel. Only give me a fresh glass 
of water and put some sugar in it.” 

Gabriel Nietzel flew to the sideboard, and, while he fllled 
a glass with water, his pale lips murmured, “ Your evil 
genius bade you say that! ” And while he shook into the 
glass the white pulverized sugar, which, by the way, he had 
not taken from the howl standing on the sideboard, in the 
depths of his heart he whispered, '^Rebecca, this I do for 
you! ” 

He took up the tall tumbler and presented it to the Elec- 
toral Prince. Frederick William seized the glass and drank, 
in long draughts. It had done him good, his head was easy 
again, there was no longer such a fearful roaring in his 
ears. 

George William’s countenance glowed and his eyes burned. 
He loved the pleasures of the table, and the wine was costly 
and had driven all ill humor from his heart. He now felt 
quite comfortable, quite happy, and bent friendly glances 
across upon his son, who was so splendid, so glorious to look 
upon, and the sight of whom, although he would probably 
not acknowledge it to himself, rejoiced his father’s heart. 

Frederick William had just removed the great goblet 
from his lips, and placed it half full upon the table. The 
Elector saw it, the cold liquor looked inviting, and at the same 
time he would give his son a public token of his kindly dis- 
position: all the guests must see how high in his favor stood 
the Electoral Prince. 

You drink water, my son?” he asked. That is wise 
and prudent, and deserves to he imitated at this table of 
18 


268 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


reveling. I will follow your example, Frederick William. 
Hand your glass across the table to me, son.” 

The Electoral Prince hastily rose from his seat, and tried 
to hand the glass to his father; but his hand trembled so vio- 
lently that he could not hold the glass; it escaped from his 
hands, and fell with a crash upon the table. 

The Electress uttered a piercing cry, the Princesses 
shrieked aloud. The music stopped in the midst of a strain 
commenced, the guests interrupted their conversation, and 
all eyes were directed to the middle of the table, where the 
Electoral family was seated. What did it mean? Prince Fred- 
erick William rose from his seat. His countenance was pale 
as death, but he still tried to keep a smile upon his lips. He 
bowed across the table to his father. Your pardon, sir. 
Permit me to absent myself, for I am not quite well.” 

Go, my son!” exclaimed George William. That 
comes from not being accustomed to strong Hungarian wine! ” 
And the Elector turned, laughing, to his wife, who glanced 
anxiously at her son. Your wise son,” said he, has learned 
everything, only he has not learned to drink. He has not 
been taught that in your uncle’s polite and polished court, 
and we must supply their negligence here.” 

The Electoral Prince reeled through the hall, waving off 
all who approached him or offered him assistance. It is 
nothing, nothing at all,” he said with cheerful, broken voice. 

I have taken a little cold. Let me get away unnoticed.” 

All kept their seats, as the Prince desired, and as the 
Elector required by tarrying himself at the table. Only the 
Stadtholder, in his capacity of host, had risen from the table 
to offer his guidance to the Electoral Prince. He approached 
him, proffering the support of his arm. 

“ Will your highness do me the honor to rest upon my 
arm, and permit me to escort you to your carriage? ” 

The Electoral Prince shuddered, and, suddenly lifting his 
head, flashed an angry glance from his already clouded eyes 
into the proud, composed countenance of the count. But it 
quickly vanished, Frederick William accepted Schwarzen- 
herg’s proffered arm, and, leaning upon him, tottered out of 
the hall into the antechamber. His countenance was deadly 


THE BANQUET. 


269 


pale, dark circles were under his eyes, his lips were colorless, 
his eyes bloodshot. But still he maintained his erect posi- 
tion by mere force of will, and even controlled himself so 
far as to smile and address a few friendly words to the count. 

My heavens, noble sir! ” cried Schwarzenherg, with an 
expression of painful horror, this is more than a mere pass- 
ing indisposition. You are really sick — you are suffering! ’’ 
Not so, count. I am not suffering at all, and it is only 
a trifling ailment. My father is quite right — the strong wine 
has mounted to my head. I am not used to drinking and 

feasting, that is all. To-morrow will Count, I beg you 

to lead me to my carriage. It is dark before my eyes! ” 

And the Prince sank hack groaning and half unconscious. 
The count beckoned the princely Chamberlain von Gotz to 
approach, and the two gentlemen, aided by a few lackeys, bore 
the Prince carefully out to the carriage. Then Frederick 
William opened his eyes, his wandering glance strayed around, 
and his lips stammered softly: Where is Gabriel Nietzel? 
Is he with me ? 

But Gabriel Nietzel was nowhere to he seen; only the 
Chamberlain von Gotz was there, and he got into the car- 
riage, which bore the deadly sick Prince at full gallop to the 
palace. 

Count Schwarzenherg looked after the retreating vehicle 
with earnest, thoughtful face, then turned to re-enter the 
palace. On the threshold stood Gabriel Nietzel, and the eyes 
of the two men met in one glance of awe and horror. 

“ Your grace sees I have kept my word,” murmured Ga- 
briel Nietzel. 

^^Away!” commanded the count imperiously. ^^If you 
are not out of Berlin in one hour I shall have you arrested by 
the police, and accuse you as the murderer of the Electoral 
Prince, for you alone waited upon him! Be off! ” 

But Gabriel Nietzel stirred not from the threshold, and 
the look which he fixed upon the count was not humble and 
reverential, but threatening. Sir,” asked he shortly and 
harshly — ‘'^sir, where are Eebecca and my child?” 

^^At your lodgings, you fool! Hurry, I tell you!” And 
with ungentle hand the count thrust the painter from the 


270 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


door, and returned to the banqueting hall to inform the Elec- 
tor and his spouse with smiling, almost mocking gesture, that 
the young gentleman himself had said that the strong wine 
had slightly affected his head, and produced a temporary in- 
disposition. The Elector laughed aloud, and the anxious brow 
of the Electress cleared up again. The entertainment quietly 
proceeded. 

Why should they he uneasy about the young gentleman, 
who had no other sufferings than those resulting from un- 
wonted indulgence in strong drink? 

The Electoral Prince had meanwhile arrived with his 
chamberlain at the castle. No one came to meet them. All 
the servants had dispersed hither and thither, in pursuit of 
their own business or enjoyments. They knew, indeed, that 
Count Schwarzenherg’s feast would be continued to a late 
hour of the night, and who could imagine that the Electoral 
Prince would return home in so unexpected a manner? The 
castle was deserted, and the chamberlain must needs summon 
to his aid the sentinel who was pacing up and down before 
the castle, in order to lift the Prince from his carriage and 
into the entrance hall. Now he called aloud for help, since 
the Prince had become perfectly helpless, and lay senseless 
upon the stone bench in the hall. 

The porter, who was only asleep in his lodge, rushed out, 
and old Dietrich, the valet, also came hurrying down the 
steps. 

They bore the Prince to his own apartments, put him to 
bed upon his own couch, and, as the Chamberlain von Gotz 
saw the old faithful Dietrich standing beside his young mas- 
ter, sobbing and so full of grief, he kindly laid his hand upon 
his shoulder. 

^‘It is nothing of moment, good old man. The Prince 
has only taken too much wine, that is all. Be comforted. To- 
morrow will make all straight again.” 

Dietrich sorrowfully shook his head. You are mis- 
taken, Sir Chamberlain; this is not the effect of wine. The 
Electoral Prince is much too fine and noble a gentleman for 
that; he never drinks more than he can stand. Just see how 
pale and wretched he looks. My dear young master is sick. 


THE BANQUET. 271 

very sick. They have murdered him, they have killed him, 
they ” 

Hush, Dietrich, for God^s sake, hush! ” interposed the 
chamberlain, turning pale. Guard your tongue, that it 
never again utter such horrible words; guard your thoughts, 
that they dare not even think anything so dreadful.” 

“ It is true, nevertheless,” murmured the old man, and, 
as he bent over the Electoral Prince and watched him with 
loving looks, the tears fell hot and fast from his eyes upon 
Frederick William’s pale face. These tears roused the latter, 
restored him to consciousness. 

There was yet one man who loved him, who sympathized 
with him, who wept when he saw him suffer! 

The Electoral Prince opened his eyes, and, on recognizing 
old Dietrich, nodded to him and murmured softly, Dietrich, 
I am suffering fearfully.” 

^^Hear, Sir Chamberlain,” said Dietrich; ‘Hhe dear 
Prince recognizes me, he has his reason, he knows what he sees 

and says, so you see it is not wine that But* he says that 

he suffers fearfully, and I believe it indeed; for what burns 

his vitals is I must go for the physician. Dr. White; he 

must try every means; he must know what ails the Prince — 
what they have done to him; and he must apply remedies. 
Stay here. Sir Chamberlain; I will run for Dr. White.” 

And old Dietrich hastily started to leave the couch, but 
the Prince’s hand was laid upon his arm, and held him fast. 

‘"Stay, Dietrich, stay! You, dear Gbtz, go you, I beg, 
for Dr. White and fetch him here; he must come immediately, 
for I am really sick. I suffer. Make haste, dear Gbtz. You 
are younger, brisker than my good old Dietrich; therefore 
I choose you.” 

The chamberlain pressed a kiss upon the Prince’s burning, 
trembling hand. “ Dearest sir, as swiftly as a man’s anxious 
heart can move his feet I shall hasten to the doctor and bring 
him here! ” 

The chamberlain flew on tiptoe from the apartment, and 
all Avas still. Nothing was heard but the low moans and sighs 
of the Prince, who lay there with pallid features and shaking 
limbs, while over him bent weeping his faithful old servant. 


272 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE, 


After a while the Prince raised himself a little, slowly opened 
his eyes, and cast a sad, sweeping glance around the room. 

Dietrich, are we alone? ” he asked, in a hoarse, almost 
inaudible voice. 

Quite alone, gracious sir.” 

Then hear what I have to say to you. Incline your ear 
close to me, for you alone must hear me. When the physician 
comes, take good care not to repeat to him what you said just 
now to the chamberlain. He and all the world must think 
that it is actually nothing hut wine which has made me sick. 
He will prescribe medicine for me. Have it prepared forth- 
with. You alone must stay with me. Tell them I have or- 
dered it, and Gdtz must return to the banquet and tell them 
it was nothing but wine. Dietrich, do not give me the medi- 
cine, hut throw it away. There is only one kind of physic 
for me — milk, only milk, that is my cordial. Give me milk, 
Dietrich, milk directly, for the pains are coming on again, 
so dreadfully, oh, so dreadfully! But do not tell anybody. 
Nobody must know what I suffer! It burns like fire! Milk, 
Dietrich, milk! ” 


IX. — Love’s Sacrifice. 

As if borne on the wings of the wind, Gabriel Nietzel had 
flown through the streets to his own abode. It lay in a quiet, 
retired quarter of the town, and, as he turned into the street 
and looked up to the house, he saw leaning far out of one of 
the windows a woman, who, her face shaded by her hand, was 
gazing down into the street. He recognized the form, al- 
though he could not see her countenance, and uttered a loud 
cry of joy. This cry of joy found an echo in the window 
above, and the form vanished. Gabriel Nietzel rushed into 
the house and up the steps. On the top step stood a woman 
with outstretched arms, and again Gabriel uttered a cry of joy 
and pressed his wife firmly to his breast, as firmly as if he 
would never let her leave the spot, as if his love would keep 


LOVE’S SACRIFICE. 


2T3 


and hold her there forever. He bore her through the open 
door into their chamber, bore her to the cradle standing in 
the center of the room, and then sank with her on his knees. 
They looked at one another, and then at the child, which 
lay there quietly with wide-open eyes, in sweet contentment. 

My child! my child! ” cried Gabriel; and it was as if 
now for the first time he saw his hoy, as if he had hut just 
been sent him by Heaven, and for a moment, in the blissful 
consciousness of being a father, he forgot all — yes, all. He 
snatched up the child and hugged and kissed it, lost in rapture 
and delight. But all at once there came over him the memory 
of those pale, quivering features, the dimmed eyes, and droop- 
ing form. A shudder ran through his whole frame; with a 
shriek of horror he let the child fall hack in its cradle, and 
clasped both hands before his face. 

Rebecca tore hack his hands, and her large black eyes 
gazed searchingly into his countenance. She now for the first 
time saw how pale he was, and how disturbed his mien. She 
now for the first time saw that he avoided her look, and that 
his breast heaved convulsively. 

“ Gabriel,” she said, with firm, impressive voice — Ga- 
briel, something is the matter with you! Something has hap- 
pened to you — something shocking, dreadful! ” 

Nothing! ” he cried, hastily leaping up — nothing! But 
we must begone! We are to stay here no longer. We must 
away immediately — this very hour! ” 

I know it,” replied Rebecca quietly, her eyes fixed im- 
movably upon her beloved — I know it, Gabriel, and I have 
prepared everything, as Count Schwarzenherg himself di- 
rected. I have been in Berlin ever since this morning, hut 
feared to come here until you had gone to the banquet. I 
have made all needful arrangements. I have hired a vehicle, 
which is waiting for us outside the Willow-hank Gate. The 
count says we are to go on foot; that no one in the city must 
see you set out, and give intelligence with regard to your move- 
ments. Since you have been gone I have packed up all our 
effects in boxes, and our kind, faithful friend Samuel Cohen 
will send them after us to Venice. What is indispensable 
for present use I have packed up in yonder trunk, which we 


274 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


must take with us. All is ready, Gabriel, and we can go. 
Only one thing I know not, have you money enough for our 
journey? 

“ Money enough! ” repeated Gabriel, with a hoarse, mock- 
ing laugh. I have more money in my pocket than I ever 
had in my whole life put together. I have so much money 
that we can buy a house in Venice, on the Ghetto; and we 
shall, too, and I will live there with you, and will become a 
Jew, and take another name, for my own name horrifies me. 
I will not, can not hear it again! ” 

“Why not?” asked she earnestly. “It is a fine name 
— the name of a painter, an artist. Why would you never 
again hear your own name, Gabriel Nietzel? ” 

“ Because it is notorious, infamous! ” groaned he — “ be- 
cause it is the name of a ” 

“Well, why do you hesitate, Gabriel?” asked Rebecca 
in anguish of soul, while she laid both her hands upon his 
shoulders, and gazed upon him with wistful glances. He 
would have avoided her eyes, but could not; his looks must 
sink deep into those glittering, black eyes. Deep they looked, 
deep as the sea, and he thought to himself that a secret could 
be buried there, and rest secure in the bottom of her heart. 

“ Gabriel Nietzel,” asked Rebecca, in a voice at once threat- 
ening and tender — “Gabriel Hietzel, what have you done? 
What lies heavy upon your soul? ” 

“ Nothing, my Rebecca, nothing! Ask no questions! We 
must begone! Make haste, dearest, take the child, and come; 
for if we do not hurry, we are lost! ” 

She slowly shook her noble, graceful head and stirred not 
from her place. She kept Gabriel in his with her hands, which 
she pressed more firmly upon his shoulders. 

“ Gabriel, my dear, precious Gabriel, what have you done? 
Tell me. I demand to know it as my right. When we were 
married on the Lido, in the solemn stillness of the night, 
when we joined hands, and both swore in the presence of your 
and my God that we would ever love one another, and that 
death alone should part us, when you said, ' I take you to be 
my wife,’ and I said, ' I take you to be my husband,*’ then we 
likewise swore that we would live truly and confidentially 


LOVE’S SACRIFICE. 


275 


with one another, and have no secrets from each other. Ga- 
briel, fulfill now your oath. I demand it of you, by the mem- 
ory of that hour, by my love for you, by our child. Gabriel, 
what have you done?’’ 

I can not tell it, and you may not hear it, Rebecca. For, 
once uttered, that word will be a two-edged sword, and plunge 
us both in misery and shame! ” 

Shame! There is no shame for the Jewess! Misery! 
Tell me a form of misery which I have not suffered and en- 
dured from childhood up! My mother was stabbed in Venice 
by a nobleman because she would not break her faith with 
my father and desert him. My father was known as a sorcerer 
and vender of poisons. The noblemen used secretly to resort 
by night to our wretched house upon the Ghetto, and paid 
him great sums for his drugs, but if he showed himself upon 
the streets by day, the populace hooted and cast stones after 
him. And when they saw me, they hissed and mocked, be- 
stowing opprobrious epithets upon me, and even went out 
of the way to avoid the contamination of my touch, for I was 
the daughter of a poisoner, a secret bravo — I was a Jewess! 
But when I was grown, then the young noblemen came to my 
father, not merely for the sake of his drugs and medicines, 
but also — hush! Not a breath of it! You were my deliverer 
— my savior! You rescued me from all distress; you were 
to me as the Messiah, in whom my people have hoped for a 
thousand years. I followed you, and I shall go with you my 
whole life long — go with you to the scaffold, if needs be. I 
know it, Gabriel, I read it in your countenance; you have 
committed a crime! ” 

crime! A fearful crime!” said he, shuddering. 
“ Turn your head away, Rebecca, I am not worthy that you 
should look upon me! ” 

I do look upon you, Gabriel, I condemn you not. I am 
thinking of what we said to one another in the count’s picture 
gallery. I called to you to rescue me at any price. I told you 
that if I could purchase deliverance thereby, I was ready to 
commit a crime. That to be with you again I would abjure 
the faith of my fathers, although I knew I should die of peni- 
tence after the perpetration of such a crime.” 


276 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


‘^And I replied to you, Rebecca, that I, too, was ready 
to perpetrate a crime for the sake of rescuing you and calling 
you my own again, and that I would not die of penitence.’’ 

And yet you do repent, Gabriel, you shudder at your- 
self. For you have done it, you have committed a crime. I 
will have my share in it, half of it belongs to me. In the sight 
of God, I am your wife, and you have sworn to share every- 
thing with me. Then divide with me, Gabriel; I claim my 
right. Share with me your crime, or I shall think that you 
love me no more, and then I shall go away, and you will never 
see me more.” 

I do love you, Rebecca — I do love you! For your sake I 
have become a criminal, a murderer! I have purchased you 
at the price of my soul! Lay your ear close to my mouth, and 
I will tell you my dreadful secret: Rebecca, I am a murderer, 
a cursed murderer! I have committed a murder, which will 
cry out to Heaven against me as long as I live; for him whom 
I have murdered had never done me harm, but only good, and 
he confided in me, and trusted to my faith. Rebecca, I am 
cursed, and my name will be a byword in the mouths of 
men while books of history last. Rebecca, I have poisoned the 
Electoral Prince Frederick William! ” 

She uttered a piercing shriek, and fell back, as if struck 
by a thunderbolt. 

/^The Electoral Prince Frederick William! Hot Count 
Schwarzenberg! The noble youth; not that detested evil- 
doer, not him, who has deserved death a thousandfold? ” 

He had not merely my life in his power, but yours and 
our child’s. It would have profited me nothing to murder 
him; we should only all three have been irretrievably lost. 
I was forced to obey his orders — to perform the horrible deed 
— ^in order to save you and myself. ” 

Rebecca pressed both hands tightly across her brow, and 
stared long at vacancy. ^^He must be saved!” she said. 
Then, after a pause, in a tone of firm determination, Yes, he 
must be saved! ” 

What could we do to save him? ” sighed Gabriel hope- 
lessly. nothing! You know your father’s drugs are subtile, 
and never fail in their effects! ” 


LOVE’S SACRIFICE. 


27Y 


"'You administered to him some of the medicine which 
my father presented you with? ” asked she, with a wondrous 
gleam of light in her black eyes. 

" Yes, I gave him some. You know when we took leave 
of your father he handed me three boxes as a keepsake, say- 
ing that they were the only dowry he could give me with you, 
hut that many a prince would pay us immense sums for them, 
if we should sell them to him for his dear relations; for in 
these boxes were the deadliest poisons, leaving behind not 
a trace of their existence. The contents of one box causes 
instantaneous death, and he therefore called it " the apoplexy 
powder.^ The contents of the second box killed more slowly, 
and prolonged the patient’s life ten or twelve days; therefore 
he called it " the inflammatory powder.’ The third powder, 
however, because it works slowest of all, he called " the con- 
sumptive powder.’ ” 

" And of which powder did you give to the Electoral 
Prince?” asked Rebecca breathlessly. 

" Of the inflammatory powder, for it was least, dangerous 
to us.” 

"Did the Prince drink the whole potion poured out for 
him?” 

"Yo, he only drank half, and when he tried to hand it 
to his father, who asked for it, the glass fell from his trem- 
bling hands, and its contents were spilled upon the table.” 

" Therefore the Prince only took half a powder? ” 

" Only half. But still he must die, for your father told 
me one pinch would produce death; and I gave him two, that 
the count might see its effects.” 

Rebecca did not reply. She had sunk upon her knees and 
folded her hands. Her lips moved as if in silent prayer. 

"What think you?” asked Gabriel Nietzel, after a pause. 
"Why do you not speak to me? Do you despise me, because 
I have confessed my crime to you? Do you turn away from 
the poisoner, the murderer? ” 

" Yo,” said she, suddenly drawing herself up erect. " Yo, 
I do not despise you, but I love you, and because I love you 
I will not that you should be a criminal. Had you poisoned 
the count, then I should have said, " You have accomplished 


278 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


a good work. God has killed him by your hand; you are 
nothing more than the executioner, who has inflicted merited 
death upon the wicked, and has rid the world of him. Lift 
up your head and he joyful, for you were a tool in God’s 
hand! ’ But you have poisoned a noble, good man, the son 
of your benefactress, and his death would cry out against 
you, and our child would be punished for the crime of his 
father. ^ For I am a God of vengeance,’ says the Lord, ‘ and 
I will visit the sins of the fathers upon the children unto the 
third and fourth generation.’ I love you, Gabriel, and no 
sin or crime could separate me from you; for have you not 
taken to your heart the daughter of a criminal, and sinned 
for her sake? But our child shall not suffer for what his 
parents have done. The God of our fathers shall not take 
vengeance on our child, the sun and happiness shall shine 
upon him; for we, Gabriel, we have known night and mis- 
fortune, and tasted all the bitterness of life. Gabriel, our 
child must he free from stain of guilt or crime, and therefore 
must the Electoral Prince he saved.” 

Say how can it he done, show me a way to save him! ” 

I know the way, and I will take it. I would save you 
and the child from blood guiltiness and sin. Swear to me, 
Gabriel, that you will do what I shall require of you. Think 
of that hour upon the Lido when I gave myself to you. Think 
of the hour when this child was born, and I laid it in your 
arms and said: ^ Take it. It is a gift of my love. Take the 
child with whom God has blessed us, and pronounced us 
pure! ’ And you swore to me with tears that you would he 
a faithful father to our child all his life, and shield him as 
far as in you lay from all the pains of earth. By the memory 
of that oath I now require you, Gabriel Metzel, to lay your 
hand upon my child’s head, and solemnly swear to me, by 
God, by our child, and by your love for me, to do exactly what 
I shall now demand of you.” 

With reverential, timid admiration Gabriel Metzel looked 
into Eehecca’s countenance, which was beaming with energy 
and beauty. He could not turn away his glance from her, 
for it seemed as if his inmost soul was held spellbound by 
her large, flaming eyes, resting fixedly upon him. Ever look- 


LOVE’S SACRIFICE. 


279 


ing at Rebecca, he laid his hand upon the head of the child 
that lay slumbering in the cradle, and said in a distinct, sol- 
emn voice: I swear by God, by our child, and by my love 
for you, Rebecca, that I shall do exactly what you will require 
of me.” 

She nodded her head as proudly and gravely as if she had 
been a queen, who had just received the homage of her vassal. 

“Listen then, Gabriel,” she said. “You take the trunk, 
I take the child, and let us be going, for the wagon is waiting 
for us outside the Willow-bank Gate, as you know. Do not 
speak to me by the way, for I have still much to plan and 
ponder. Time does not stand still, and every moment in- 
creases the Prince’s peril. If help does not reach him to-night, 
then is he lost beyond hope of recovery. Come! ” 

Already a question was trembling on Gabriel Metzel’s 
lips. He wished to ask, “ Can he by any possibility be saved? ” 
But she had said, “ Do not speak to me,” and, obedient to his 
oath, he remained dumb, took up the trunk, and followed 
Rebecca, who had tenderly lifted the child from it^ crib and 
had just gone out of the door. Swiftly they passed side by 
side through the streets, which were still deserted, for all 
loungers and street idlers were still tarrying in Broad Street 
or on the castle square. Many a time Gabriel cast a look of 
questioning entreaty upon Rebecca, but she saw it not; she 
seemed to see nothing whatever, for her eyes were gazing 
afar off; like a somnambulist, she strode along, and even when 
the baby in her arms began to cry she took no notice of it, 
nor sought to comfort it with tender, soothing words. At 
last they had passed the gate behind the willow bank, and 
found themselves without the city. There stood the wagon 
waiting for them, covered with a tilt of gray canvas. The 
Jewish boy who sat on the back seat under the canvas awning 
had fallen asleep, resting his head against the great wooden 
arch to which the cover was secured. The two lean little 
horses were greedily eating of the oats in the dirty bags around 
their necks. Hot a creature was to be seen. The wretched 
conveyance had excited no attention whatever, and caused 
not a single passer-by to pause. 

Rebecca stepped up to the wagon and gently laid the 


280 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


child in the straw with which the vehicle was filled. Then, 
with a silent wave of the hand, she ordered Gabriel to set 
down the trunk he was carrying. He did so, and Rebecca 
took a key out of her pocket, knelt down before the trunk, 
and sought hither and thither among its contents. First she 
took from the bottom of the trunk a packet with five seals, 
and, as she hastily stuck it in her bosom, her eye was uplifted 
to heaven with a glance of glowing gratitude. Then she took 
out a white dress and a long white veil, carefully concealing 
these things under the great black mantle which enveloped 
her figure. Finally, she locked the trunk and handed the key 
to Gabriel. 

Place the trunk gently in the wagon, so as not to wake 
the child,” she said. Gabriel silently obeyed, and then, stand- 
ing on the footboard of the wagon, reached down his hand 
to her, as if he would ask her to follow. 

She shook her head quickly. Come, Gabriel,” said she, 
^‘come, let us step across and talk under yon tree. The 
child sleeps and David Cohen sleeps, too. NTohody hears us. 
Come.” 

With hasty steps they crossed over to the great linden 
tree which stood at the side of the road. The birds sang and 
hopped about amid its dense foliage, and the hot sunbeams 
drew forth the most delicious fragrance from the blossoms 
with which each branch was laden. But the pair who walked 
up and down under the tree heeded neither the singing of the 
birds nor the perfume of the flowers. They were alone with 
one another and the sad, gloomy thoughts with which both 
their souls were filled. 

Gabriel,” said Rebecca, recovering breath, I will go to 
free you from the stain of blood, for if it remain it would not 
merely poison the Electoral Prince but your whole life. My 
father gave you only the half of my dowry, as he called it. 
The other half he retained and gave me. After he had pre- 
sented you with the poison, and I was alone with him in his 
chamber, he held out to me the sacred volume, and required 
me to take three oaths, by the memory of my murdered 
mother and by the hatred and revenge which we had sworn to 
the whole world upon her beloved body. First, I must swear 


LOVE’S SACRIFICE. 


281 


that I would never abjure the faith of my fathers and become 
a Christian. Secondly, I must swear that I would rear the 
child that God would give me in our own religion, and never 
while I lived consent to its being made a Christian. Thirdly, 
I must swear to preserve the sealed packet he intrusted to me 
as my greatest treasure, my most precious possession, and only 
to tell you of it in case of the most extreme danger and neces- 
sity; that I was only to make use of the contents to purchase 
wealth or happiness. ^ I have given death into your dear 
GahrieFs hand,’ he said, ‘into your hand, my daughter, I 
give life, and surely that is something much more rare and 
precious. He has the poisons; I give you the antidotes. They 
are worth tons of gold; they are my most precious treasure, 
and twenty years have I labored ere I discovered them. When 
I succeeded, I thanked God for this glorious discovery, and 
then thrice I swore upon the sacred volume, with my face 
turned to the East and with loud voice, that never should a 
Christian obtain these priceless antidotes through me, that 
never would I impart knowledge of them to a Christian. I 
will keep my oath, and divulge the holy secret only to you, 
my Rebecca. Guard it in your bosom under three sacred 
seals, and only in the most perilous hour of your life break 
the seal, which I herewith lay upon your lips. But never 
may you transfer this precious treasure to other hands; no 
Christian may ever touch it. Would you save life, then you 
must do it yourself, and only from your own hands may the 
one smitten with death receive life.’ 

“ Those were the words spoken by my father, when he 
handed me the sealed packet. Then he instructed me how 
to apply the contents, and what I would have to do in order 
to render ineffective the three poisons given you. ‘ Only,’ 
said he to me, ‘ the antidote must he administered before four- 
and-twenty hours have elapsed since the- poison was swallowed, 
and then, still twenty-four hours later, the antidote must he 
used for the second time.’ Gabriel, my hest-heloved, now is 
the most perilous hour of my life, and I have loosened the 
seal which my father pressed upon my lips. I have the anti- 
dote for the inflammatory powder.” 

“ Ah, Rebecca, and you will give it to me? ” asked Gabriel, 


282 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


seizing both her hands and looking into her lovely face with 
beaming eyes. 

She slowly and solemnly shook her head. Yon are a 
Christian,” she said. ^‘1 have sworn to my father that no 
Christian should touch the precious treasure, that no hands 
but my own should apply the remedy he intrusted to me. 
Gabriel, out of love for me you gave the Prince into the 
jaws of death. Out of love for you I shall restore him to 
life.” 

Rebecca! ” he cried, how will you do it — ^how can you 
accomplish it? Only from your hands the Prince is to re- 
ceive life? That means, you will yourself apply the remedy? 
You will go to him? You would return to the city, venture 
into the castle? Know you not that Schwarzenberg has his 
spies everywhere; that every lackey in the castle is bribed 
by him and in his interests; that he knows what happens there 
night and day? Do you not know that, Rebecca? Did you 
not yourself often tell me so, when you visited the castel- 
lan’s wife, who loved you, because she, too, was a Venetian, 
and could speak her native language with you. Did she not 
tell you in confidence that Count Schwarzenberg was her 
real lord and master, and that she herself every morning re- 
peated to the count’s secretary all that came under her ob- 
servation in the castle? And now would you venture into 
that castle, that den of lions! ” 

Did not Daniel venture into the lion’s den, and the wild 
beasts touched him not?” cried she. ‘^Why should I fear, 
since my work is holy and pure as Daniel’s was? ” 

I shall not suffer it. t shall cling to you and hold you 
back.” 

Gabriel Metzel, bethink you of the oath you swore upon 
our child’s head. You will do what I require of you! This 
you swore. Will you break your oath? ” 

Ko, Rebecca,” he said mournfully. Command — I shall 

obey.” 

I shall return to the city,” continued Rebecca. Old 
Benjamin Cohen will hospitably entertain me and provide 
me with a safe hiding place. By night I shall go to the castle, 
and make sure that no one will detain me, no one will recog- 


LOVE’S SACRIFICE. 


283 


nize me, and that Count Schwarzenberg’s spies shall not 
report that Rebecca Metzel was in the castle and in the 
Prince’s room. The dress which I shall assume will be a cer- 
tain protection; trust to me and ask no questions. I know 
every door and inlet to the castle, for the castellan’s wife often 
showed me through the palace, and stairs and corridors, secret 
doors and passages are all familiar to me. I know a little 
door on the Spree side, which is never locked, because nobody 
knows of its existence, or would regard it, for it only leads 
to a little niche; and that a secret door is concealed within 
this niche, not even the castellan’s wife herself knows. I dis- 
covered it one day, when I had lost my way in the castle, and 
was wandering in distress through the corridors. I said noth- 
ing about my discovery, and now I shall profit by it to gain 
safe access and to go out again. The next day I shall spend 
in concealment at Benjamin Cohen’s, and at night I shall go 
again to the palace, for the dose must be repeated. Twice 
in the course of forty-eight hours must it he administered, if 
life is to vanquish death. When I leave the castje the second 
night, my work will be done, for crime will he taken away from 
our heads, and our child will not have to suffer for the sins 
of its parents. Then, my Gabriel, then we shall return to my 
beautiful home, then shall we be free and happy! Think of 
that, my beloved, and let us patiently bear what must he 
home.” 

‘^1 will think of that, Rebecca. But tell me, what shall 
I do? — how shall I pass the long, dreary days of our separa- 
tion? Do not be cruel. Let me return to the city with you. 
Benjamin Cohen will furnish a safe retreat for me and the 
child, as well as for yourself. I swear to you that I will keep 
myself concealed in the cellar, under the roof, anywhere you 
will, only let me go with you! ” 

It can not he. The child’s life must not he endangered, 
nor yours either, that I may maintain the courage needful 
for action. Consider your oath, and do what I require. Now 
get into the wagon without delay. David is a good driver, 
and perfectly devoted to us. Travel day and night until you 
reach Brandenburg. There dwells a brother of Benjamin, 
little David Cohen’s uncle. At his house remain in retire- 
19 


284 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


ment until I join you, and, 0 Gabriel! then we shall set out 
together.’’ 

“ Rebecca, I can not, indeed I can not leave you! ” 

“ You must, for your crime must he expiated. Think, 
Gabriel, a long life of happiness lies before us. Let us cour- 
ageously pass through the last cloud of evil, for beyond is 
day, beyond is the sun, beyond is Italy, the land of love and 
art! Now let us part, dearest. Farewell, till we meet again 
in joy! ” 

“ Can you, Rebecca, can you so suddenly leave me and 
be parted from me? ” 

never leave you, for my soul is ever with you. No 
leave-takings, Gabriel; they make us weak, and sternly I must 
go to meet stern fate. Give me your hand. Farewell! Above 
lives a God for all men. He will protect me.” 

Rebecca, only give me one parting kiss! ” 
shall kiss you when atonement has been made — nor 
until then shall I kiss our child again! Know this, Gabriel, 
that my love for you is eternal, it will abide even unto the 
end of the world! Now, let us part. Hark! the child cries. 
He calls for his father. Go to him, Gabriel, and tell our 
child that his mother loves you both more than her own life! 
Go!” ^ 

He tried once more to seize her hand and embrace her. 
She waved him back, and with an imperious movement pointed 
to the wagon. 

“ Remember your oath, Gabriel; you must do what I re- 
quire of you,” she said firmly. 

But just tell me one thing, Rebecca,” implored he hum- 
bly. “ When shall we meet again ? ” 

In four or five days, Gabriel. Stay quietly at Branden- 
burg, and wait for me there eight days. If by that time I have 
not come to you at Brandenburg, consider it as a sign that 
I have chosen some other route, to escape the anger and pur- 
suit of Count Schwarzenberg, and that I have forborne to 
communicate with you lest I should be betrayed. Then travel 
with the child to Venice, making all possible speed. I shall 
join you on the way; but if I can not, then we shall meet 
again in safety at my father’s house in Venice.” 


LOVE’S SACRIFICE. 


285 


Rebecca, it is impossible; I can not ” 

Hush! interrupted she; the child cries still, and 
David Cohen, too, is now awake.” 

She quickly stepped toward the vehicle and nodded to the 
little coachman, who was sleepily rubbing his eyes. 

Here we are, David,” she said. “ Now prove yourself a 
brave boy and do honor to your father’s spirit. Drive boldly, 
but take care not to meet with accidents, and make for Bran- 
denburg without delay.” 

I promised dad, God bless him, that I would not know 
rest or repose, hunger or sleep, until we reached Branden- 
burg! ” cried the boy, cracking his whip. Get in, I will 
drive you to Brandenburg.” 

“ Get in, Gabriel,” said Rebecca to Nietzel, who stood at 
the wagon door, looking at her with wistful, melancholy 
air. She shook her head as a negative answer to the dumb 
questioning of his eyes, and only repeated, Get in, Gabriel! ” 
He jumped into the wagon, but, as he did so, leaned for- 
ward and stretched out his hands to her. 

Forward, David, forward! ” commanded Rebecca. David 
whipped up his horses, and set off at full gallop. 

“ Be quick, David, for I must begone! ” 

David Cohen gave the little horses a sharp blow across' 
their heads, causing them to bound forward in wild impa- 
tience. Rebecca gazed after them, breathless, with staring 
eyes. When the vehicle had disappeared from sight she 
pressed both hands before her eyes, and a sob and a groan 
escaped her breast. Soon, however, she resumed her self- 
control. 

“ If I weep I am lost,” she said, lifting up her head. “ I 
have a difficult task to perform, and tears make one faint- 
hearted and cowardly. I shall not weep, at least not now. 
When my work of expiation is accomplished, when it has suc- 
ceeded, then I shall weep. And they will be tears of joy! 
Jehovah! Almighty! stand by me, that I may weep such tears 
to-morrow night! And now to work! to work! ” 

She turned, and with quiet, firm steps proceeded to the 
city. 


286 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


X. — The White Lady. 

Dietrich had faithfully obeyed the Electoral Prince’s 
orders. The physician in ordinary, Dr. White, had come, 
felt the sick man’s pulse, and smiled upon being told that the 
Prince had been taken sick at Count Schwarzenberg’s ban- 
quet. 

We know all about such sicknesses,” he said, shrugging 
his shoulders. “ His highness the Elector suffered from such 
attacks in earlier days, but he has inured himself against them 
now.” 

^^But his grace seems to be really sick,” remarked the 
chamberlain. “ Only see, doctor, how pale he is! Cold sweat 
is standing on his brow, and he moans pitiably.” 

‘^Yes, yes, he undoubtedly has pain,” said the physician 
gravely. Such instances occur after a rich feast, where they 
eat many things together, and drink besides. I shall pre- 
scribe a composing draught for his grace, which must be ad- 
ministered regularly every fifteen minutes.” 

And the physician repaired to the Prince’s cabinet ad- 
joining his sleeping room, to write his prescription. Cham- 
berlain von Gbtz gazed gloomily upon the sick man, who just 
at this moment uttered a loud scream, and with outstretched 
arms and clinched hands tossed restlessly about. Old Dietrich 
bent over him and wiped the perspiration from his fore- 
head. 

‘^He is really very sick,” murmured the chamberlain. 

There is nothing for it but toi stay here. He must not be 
left alone.” 

Xo, Herr von Gbtz,” said Dietrich, his old face look- 
ing perfectly tranquil and composed — ""no; the Prince or- 
dered me to desire you to return immediately to the party, 
and not to tarry longer here. My young master condescend- 
ingly owned to me himself that it was actually the strong 
Hungarian wine which had occasioned his sickness, and there- 
fore his highness wishes the Chamberlain von Gbtz to return 
forthwith to the party, that his gracious mother may not be 
made uneasy, and imagine that, her son is seriously sick. The 


THE WHITE LADY. 


287 


Electoral Prince’s orders are that you say to his mother that 
perhaps he may return himself to the entertainment this even- 
ing, and that she must not allow herself to be at all anxious, 
for he will certainly he well again to-morrow.” 

“ That is a fine errand,” exclaimed the chamberlain, and 
the Electress will he much comforted by such a message. 
But, nevertheless, I can not possibly leave the Electoral Prince 
alone for the whole evening.” 

He is not alone, for I am with him,” replied Dietrich, 
shaking his head. “ I, too, am a man, Chamberlain von Gdtz, 
and such my gracious young master esteems me, for he gave 
express orders that I alone should stay with him, and that 
nobody else should be admitted until early to-morrow morn- 
ing. His grace would sleep soundly he said, and rest was the 
best medicine for him.” 

But he must take the medicine that the doctor prescribes 
for him,” said the chamberlain earnestly. You must insist 
that the Electoral Prince take his medicine regularly.” 

“Dismiss all anxiety, Herr von Gdtz,” rephed Dietrich 
solemnly; “I shall see to it that the Prince regularly takes 
the medicine he needs.” 

“Here is the prescription! ” called out the doctor, enter- 
ing the chamber and holding out a long strip of paper. 
“ Hurry with it to the apothecary, for I fear its preparation 
may occasion some little delay, since it is a nice and particular 
recipe, and consists of fourteen component parts. But it will 
surely work a cure and afford his highness relief. I shall 
come again this evening and see how my exalted patient is 
getting on.” 

And the medical gentleman left the room, followed by the 
Chamberlain von Gdtz. 

“ You think then, doctor,” asked the latter outside in the 
passage, “ that the Electoral Prince is not seriously sick? ” 

“ Have you ever had the sickness which follows too free 
indulgence in wine. Sir Chamberlain?” asked the doctor 
gravely. “ If so, you know exactly how the Electoral Prince 
feels.” 

“ Badly enough,” laughed Herr von Gdtz. “ I have cer- 
tainly had my own frightful experiences of that sickness. 


288 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


You think then, doctor, I may without impropriety return to 
Count Schwarzenherg’s feast? 

Without any impropriety whatever. Sir Chamberlain. 
What the Prince chiefly needs is sleep and my medicine. When 
he has swallowed even a few spoonfuls he will feel much 
soothed and relieved.” 

The two gentlemen left the castle together, and Dietrich 
remained alone with the Prince. He had first hastened with 
the long prescription to the Electoral apothecary, and ordered 
that it should he left as soon as prepared in the antechamber 
of the Prince’s rooms. Then he had fetched a pitcher of milk 
from his own chamber, and, kindling a fire in the Prince’s 
sleeping apartment, warmed the milk. Now he approached 
with the steaming draught the couch of the Prince, who lay 
sighing and moaning, with closed eyes and tightly compressed 
lips, paying no heed to Dietrich’s entreaties. Finally, after a 
long pause, he opened his eyes and fixed them with a vacant 
expression upon the weeping and trembling old man. 

“ Dietrich, I believe I am dying,” he gasped. But do 
not tell anybody. No one must know what I suffer, else he, 
too, would come to me, and I wish to see his hated face no 
more.” 

^^Most gracious Prince, I beseech you, drink. Here is 
milk! ” 

“ Give it to me, give it to me, Dietrich! Perhaps there is 
yet hope.” 

He emptied the cup, and again sank hack. Dietrich knelt 
by his couch and murmured prayers, imploring God to be 
with the Electoral Prince and to save him from death. Hour 
after hour sped away. Evening drew near, the shades of night 
closed in, and still all was quiet and noiseless within the 
castle precincts. Count Schwarzenherg’s feast proceeded un- 
disturbed. It was truly a feast of enchantment, and even the 
Electress was carried away by it. Twice had she dispatched 
footmen to inquire after her son’s health, and each time old 
Dietrich had sent word that the Prince had fallen into a sweet 
sleep, and that the doctor’s medicine seemed to agree with 
him wonderfully well. Of this medicine Dietrich threw aside 
a spoonful every fifteen minutes, and instead of it gave the 


THE WHITE LADY. 


289 


Prince his own prescription — warm milk. But still there was 
no alleviation of his sufferings, and even the violent vomit- 
ing, which twice ensued, had not diminished the Prince’s 
pain. 

In Count Schwarzenherg’s palace now resounded strains 
of the most inspiriting dance music, and from the banquet- 
ing hall the company dispersed into the two ballrooms and 
the adjoining apartments. In the Electoral garden prepara- 
tions were being made for fireworks, which were to be dis- 
played as soon as the night was sufficiently dark. This was 
the reason why, on the approach of twilight, the sight-loving 
multitude came streaming hither again from all directions. 
The Elector had seated himself at the card table, and the 
Electress took a walk through the conservatory and the mag- 
nificent hothouses situated in the rear of the palace, access 
to which was had through the great reception hall. From the 
Elector, who was eagerly interested in his game. Count 
Schwarzenherg obtained permission to accompany the Elec- 
tress. The whole company, with the exception of the gentle- 
men busied in card playing, followed them. Like a glittering, 
gigantic serpent, sparkling in all the colors of the rainbow, 
wound the long, unbroken procession through the hothouses. 
They admired the exquisite taste by which these long rooms 
had been transformed into gardens and shrubberies; enjoyed 
the rare, deliciously scented flowers which peeped forth here 
and there amid thickets of myrtle and orange tree; amused 
themselves with the birds of variegated plumage, suspended 
from the boughs in wire cages of most delicate workmanship. 
Each Ah! of delight that sounded from the lips of the Elec- 
tress found its repeated echo in the long line of gentlemen 
and ladies following her; and these loud exclamations of de- 
light and rapture were so many acts of homage and flattery 
offered at the shrine of Count Schwarzenherg, the great and 
mighty possessor of all these glories. 

There were in that brilliant assemblage only two individ- 
uals who paid little attention to the beautiful birds and flowers 
about them, who did not chime in with the eulogies and con- 
versation of the company. These two were Princess Charlotte 
Louise and Count John Adolphus Schwarzenherg. They fol- 


290 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


lowed immediately behind the Electress. The young count 
had offered the Princess his arm, which with a slight blush 
she had accepted. The Electress, who preceded them, was 
wholly absorbed in conversation with Count Adam Schwarzen- 
berg, who by his witty, fascinating powers of address suc- 
ceeded in enchaining her attention. The Princess Sophie 
Hedwig came behind her sister with two ladies of the court, 
chatting and laughing, looking hither and thither at birds 
and flowers, and, by her frequent pauses of admiration before 
some rare plant or chatting parrot, more than once detaining 
the whole company, so that there was an empty space between 
the first two couples and those following. 

I could fall at the feet of the Princess and kiss her hands 
in fervent gratitude,” whispered Count Adolphus, when again 
the procession tarried behind them. 

“Why so?” asked Charlotte Louise, smiling. “What 
has my sister done to merit such gratitude? ” 

“What? Why, she has granted me a blessed moment, in 
which I can tell you that I love you, boundlessly love you. 
Ah! why can I not speak this word aloud, that like a flash 
of lightning it may flame through this hall? That would 
be a fire which should unfold all blossoms and ripen all fruits. 
I love you, Charlotte Louise! I could kneel down here and 
repeat in strains of perpetual adoration to you, my mistress, 

my goddess, I love you, I am yours; but, alas! you ” 

“Well,” asked she with a beaming glance — “well, why 
do you not complete your sentence?” 

“ You are not mine,” sighed he. “ Were you so, then you 
would not answer the words which gush forth hot and ardent 
from my heart in such strange, cold fashion; then would you 
listen to my supplications, and grant me a moment’s inter- 
view.” 

“ Did I not tell you, Adolphus,” whispered she, “ that you 
were to meet old Trude on the castle square to-morrow morn- 
ing early? She will be the bearer of a message for you.” 

“You said so; but I tell you, if you loved me you would 
not need time for reflection, but even yesterday, as soon as 
you heard of my arrival, your heart would have suggested 
the importance of our meeting in private, and devised some 


THE WHITE LADY. 


291 


scheme whereby this might he accomplished without making 
use of old Trude’s intervention so late as to-morrow morning.’^ 

Princess Charlotte Louise laughed and blushed at the 
same time. “ Perhaps I am not so cold and indifferent as 
you think, Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg,” she said, with 
a charming expression of bashfulness and coquetry. Per- 
haps I had already reflected that a conference would be de- 
sirable, were it only for the purpose of scolding you for your 
impulsive manners. Perhaps, too, I already know a place 
where we can see each other without old Trude’s help.” 

If you speak earnestly, then am I the happiest of men. 
But I can not believe you, can not believe that my proud, 

cold-hearted Princess actually ” 

Can not believe me! ” interrupted she, smiling; then, 
unbeliever, I shall convince you. Attend closely to all that 
I do.” 

She dropped his arm, and pausing before a rare Manilla 
flower, praised its beauty and perfume. While doing so, her 
little hand, accidentally of course, disappeared in the pocket 
of her ample skirt, and when she drew it forth again this 
hand was fast closed. She waited until her sister came up 
with the court ladies, and drew her attention to the beautiful 
flower and the aviary of charming birds in the rear. She then 
walked forward, in the blissful consciousness that a long time 
would supervene ere the Princess could tear herself away from 
the flower and birds, and that she might now speak to her 
lover secure from being overheard, since a wide space also 
separated them from the pair in front. 

“ What have you there in your hand, Louise? ” asked the 
count, in breathless suspense. 

A little note to Count Adolphus von Schwarzenberg,” 
replied she, smiling, and with swift movement she pressed 
the little twisted paper into his hand. His countenance lighted 
up with rapture, and he made a movement as if he would kneel 
before her, but the Princess restrained him. 

For Heaven’s sake, Adolphus, consider that we are not 
alone,” she whispered hurriedly. 

“ I am alone with you, and if millions encircled us still 
should I be alone with you in paradise. To me you are the 


292 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


first, the only woman upon earth. I look upon you with the 
rapture which Adam felt when he first perceived at his side 
his God-sent, heavenly wife. You have led me hack to a 
paradise of innocence and peace, have changed me into an 
Adam who the fim time sees and loves a woman. Oh, my 
beloved, you have made me blessed indeed! This little strip 
of paper that you pressed into my hand, as if by an enchanter’s 
spell, has penetrated my whole being with heavenly fire. I 
must see it, I must with my own eyes, with my own heart, read 
the words which you have indited to me.” 

“ I will repeat to you the contents of the note,” said she, 
smiling. Here they are: ^ On Tuesday evening at ten o’clock 
the little side door next the cathedral will not be locked, only 
closed. Through this enter a vestibule, to the right of which 
stands a door. Open this and mount the flight of stairs be- 
yond. Arrived at the top, go down the little passage to the 
left until you reach a door at the end. It will he open.’ ” 

Tuesday evening? ” whispered he, with enraptured 
looks; “and ” 

Three loud cannon shots drowned his words. They an- 
nounced the opening of the exhibition of fireworks, and Prin- 
cess Sophie Hedwig now came rapidly forward, followed by 
the whole assembly, all pressing eagerly toward the great hall, 
whose windows commanded a view of the fireworks. The 
rockets flew, and artificial suns wheeled and turned in fiery 
circles. Even the Elector forsook his card playing, and, sup- 
ported by Count Schwarzenherg, walked to the window to 
behold the costly spectacle, x Without, the densely packed 
throng of men shouted aloud with delight at each new star 
which shot upward. 

The Electoral Prince Frederick William still lay within 
his solitary chamber, moaning and sighing upon his couch. 
Regularly every quarter of an hour Dietrich had thrown away 
a spoonful of medicine, and given the Prince a spoonful of 
warm milk. But his pains had not been diminished thereby, 
though the Electoral Prince was evidently himself, and clearly 
conscious of his situation. Several times he had addressed 
a few affectionate words to Dietrich, seeking to comfort the 
faithful old man, who in his agony of mind wept and prayed, 


THE WHITE LADY. 


293 

and then tenderly pressed his beloved master’s hand to his 
lips, and besought him to get well and live. 

“ If it depends on me, Dietrich,” said the Electoral Prince 
slowly, moistening his parched lips with his tongue — '‘if it 
depends on me, I surely shall not die. Life is still dear to 
me, although it has brought me much of bitterness and grief. 
On that very account, though, I hope that the future will in- 
demnify me. It is a sorrowful thought to me to die and sink 
into the grave so young, so unknown. Could I prevent it, I 
surely should. But this hellish fire in my veins burns on and 
on, and is consuming my life. Give me something to drink; 
milk at least lessens my pangs in some degree.” 

Thus passed hour after hour, and midnight drew near. 
Count Schwarzenherg’s festival was not yet over, the Electoral 
family had not yet returned, and silence unbroken reigned 
throughout the castle. With slow, measured tread went the 
sentinels to and fro before the palace and through the inner 
corridors. At times the loud shouts of the populace pene- 
trated in faint echoes even to the castle, and fieiv like spirit 
whispers through the broad vestibule fronting the Electoral 
Prince’s suite of rooms. The soldier on guard there heard 
them with a shudder, and all the stories of ghosts and specters 
told about the Electoral palace awoke to his remembrance. 
He cast a disturbed glance around, and, holding his breath, 
listened with loudly beating heart to the soft sounds and mur- 
murs vibrating through the hall. Suddenly he quite distinctly 
seemed to hear soft, gliding steps approaching him from the 
other side of the vestibule. His blood stood still with horror, 
he stared into the dusky hall. The little oil lamps which hung 
on both sides of the door leading into the Electoral Prince’s 
apartments shed abroad only a glimmering, uncertain light, 
and left the background enveloped in gloom and obscurity. 

All at once the soldier started: he thought he saw a white 
figure emerge from the darkness. Yes — his eyes saw her, his 
ears heard her steps! 

Yes, it was no illusion! Ever nearer, ever larger loomed 
the white figure. It was wholly enveloped in a veil and robe 
of white, and only two large, sparkling black eyes looked forth 
from the veil. The soldier fell upon his knees, dropped his 


294 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


weapon, and, folding his hands, muttered with chattering 
teeth: The White Lady! God Almighty be gracious to us! 
The White Lady! ” 

He dared not look up; he only murmured in anguish of 
spirit the prayers by which spirits were exorcised; but he felt 
that the dreaded phantom came ever nearer and nearer — that 
he could not exorcise the Lady in White! Now she was close 
to him, her white garment grazed his bowed head, and the 
soldier shuddered and shrank within himself. It was as if 
he heard a door creak and turn softly on its hinges, then all 
was still. 

The soldier ventured to lift up his head a little — the hall 
was empty, the Lady in White had vanished! But she had 
been there; he had distinctly seen her; she had entered the 
Electoral Prince’s apartments; the soldier had plainly heard 
that! 

Now an inexpressible horror, that was stronger than all 
discipline and sense of duty, seized him. He rushed out of the 
hall, tore open the door opening upon the broad corridor, on 
both sides of which lay the apartments of their Electoral High- 
nesses. With a loud scream he called out to the sentinel on 
guard there: The White Lady! the White Lady! ” 

This one, too, shrieked as loudly as if the apparition itself 
stood before him — the Lady in White, known and dreaded 
of all! And both soldiers, panicstricken, ran down the corri- 
dor to tell the news to the other sentinels, and throw them 
all into the same state of dread and consternation. 

The Electoral Prince Frederick William lay upon his bed 
with open eyes. For the past half hour the pains which raged 
within had somewhat slackened in intensity, and allowed him 
more repose. This season of repose had overcome old Die- 
trich, and, like the disciples on Mount Olivet, he had fallen 
asleep for sorrow.” The Prince was awake and found him- 
self in that overwrought condition in which the high-strung, 
quivering nerves lend wonderful clearness and acuteness to 
the spirit, and in which the soul with wide-seeing vision takes 
in the whole past, the whole future. He saw his past rise 
up before him, with all its struggles, its privations, its inex- 
pressible joys and their painful renunciation. And then. 


THE WHITE LADY. 


295 


across all these sufferings, and the pain of the present, he 
looked into the future, whose shining ideal stood before him 
in vivid clearness, beckoning and calling to him. He saw 
fame, he saw honor; he heard the din of battle, he saw a wild 
chaos, and from this chaos emerged a something, a tangible 
shape; it grew large, it assumed form and substance, it was a 
country — his country — that he himself had created, drawn 
forth from chaos. And now he saw a happy, contented people, 
saw glad multitudes throng about him and shout: “ Long live 
our Electoral Prince, Frederick William! Long live our de- 
liverer, our father! ” That ideal, which had lain so long in 
the secret depths of his soul, in fact ever since he had known 
thought; that ideal to which he had already dedicated him- 
self, when he had stood as a boy by the corpse of his great- 
uncle Gustavus Adolphus; that ideal was now truth and real- 
ity before his inward vision. He was a Prince wreathed in 
glory; he was beloved by his strong and happy subjects! 

“ I can not die,” he exclaimed, in a loud, strong voice; I 
need not die! ” 

No, you need not die,” said a sonorous voice; and a 
white form hovered near, and two great, black eyes glowed 
upon him. Frederick William tried to rise, but could not, for 
his limbs were paralyzed, and he felt as if chained to his 
couch by iron fetters. 

Who are you ? ” he asked softly. What do you want 
here? They say that he to whom you appear is doomed to 
death, and yet you come to tell me that I need not die? ” 
‘MYe are all doomed to die,” replied the white figure; 
‘^but the hour of your death has not come yet. I am not 
come merely to tell you so, but to save you.” 

To save me? You know, then, that I am in danger?” 
^^Yes! In danger of your life! Count Schwarzenberg 
has poisoned you. Are you not consumed by inward fires? Is 
not your head heavy and giddy? ” 

I see plainly that you know what I suffer — you know 
the poison which was given me.” 

“ I know the poison, but I also know its cure. I know its 
antidote, and have brought it to you. I would save you.” 

You would save me? ” asked the Electoral Prince. Am 


296 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


I not dying fast enough for you? Have I not yet swallowed 
enough of the deadly fluid that you would give me more as a 
remedy? The invention is somewhat flimsy! I shall not 
drink! ” 

Unhappy Prince, you would not live, then? asked she, 
in distress. Hear me, Frederick William. If you delay, you 
are lost beyond all hope of cure. Nobody knows the remedy 
for your sufferings but myself, and nobody can save you if I 
do not! Oh, think not that I would merit your thanks and 
rewards! I have come hither at the peril of my own life, and 
each minute increases my own danger as well as yours. The 
soldiers have fled before my apparition. If a braver one should 
come to look closer at the White Lady, I am lost, and you 
with me, for then I could not administer to you the anti- 
dote.” 

“ Tell me who you are, that I may see whether I may 
trust you.” 

“ Who am I ? ” asked she. am a poor, mortal woman, 
who possesses nothing upon earth hut a heart, which loves 
nothing hut a poor, much-to-he-pitied man, whom not his 
own will hut destiny has made a criminal. His child and I 
were threatened with death, and to save us he committed a 
crime. Electoral Prince, Count Schwarzenberg has poisoned 
you by means of Gabriel Metzel. I come to save you. Not 
for your own sake. What are you to me? — why should I dis- 
turb myself about you? I love Gabriel Nietzel, and I would 
not have his soul burdened by a crime that would break his 
heart. My Gabriel has a tender heart; he was not made to 
be a criminal. Therefore would I absolve him from that 
curse, for I love Gabriel, and would not have him be a mur- 
derer. Do you believe me now? Will you try my palliative 
now? ” 

The Electoral Prince lay there silent and motionless, and 
his large, wide-open eyes gazed searchingly and inquiringly 
up at the white flgure, as if they would penetrate the veil 
and read her features. 

Rebecca had a consciousness of this, and let the white veil 
fall from her head. Look in my face,” she said, and read 
from that whether I speak the truth,” 


THE WHITE LADY. 


297 


Gabriel Nietzel, too, came to warn me/’ murmured the 
Prince, quivering with pain, “ and afterward it was he who 
poisoned me. From him come these fearful tortures which 
are burning now like the flames of hell.” 

Gracious sir, oh, my dear sir! ” cried Dietrich now, com- 
ing up to the bed and kneeling beside it, I beseech you, take 
nothing from her. I have heard all, and I tell you it is 
Schwarzenberg who sends this J ewess to you. Trust her not, 
my beloved Prince, take none of her hellish mixtures! ” 

Trust me,” said Eebecca quietly. If life is dear to 
you, if you hope in the future, if you would take vengeance 
upon the man who is your real murderer, whose mere tool my 
poor husband was, then accept the remedy which I bring 
you! ” 

Yes,” cried the Electoral Prince, with countenance light- 
ing up, ^^yes, I will take it! Give me your remedy. Hush, 
Dietrich, hush! I will take it! ” 

Praised be Jehovah! he will take it! ” said she joyfully, 
drawing forth from her bosom a little flask. Before I give 
you the medicine, I have something to say to you, Frederick 
William. As soon as you have taken it, you will fall into a 
deep sleep, almost resembling death. If you are disturbed 
in this, the efficacy of my cordial will be destroyed.” 

Dietrich,” said the Prince composedly, “you will take 
care that no one disturbs my slumbers. I command you so 
to do! ” 

“ I shall obey, most gracious sir,” murmured Dietrich. 

“When you awake after six hours,” continued Eebecca, 
“ you will experience a feeling of ineffable comfort. Be not 
deluded by this, and attempt to leave your couch. Eest is 
necessary for you, and you are then only on the road to health. 
That you may be perfectly cured I must come again to-mor- 
row night, and once more administer the cordial. Mind that 
to-morrow night, as at present, you be alone. Ho one must 
be with you but old Dietrich. He is a trusty, affectionate 
servant, and I hope to God will tell no one what he has seen 
and heard here, for I would be lost if he should do so.’ 

“ I swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will 
keep silence,” said Dietrich solemnly. 


298 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


And now, enough of words!” cried she. See, Die- 
trich, the pains begin anew, and his features twitch convul- 
sively. We must procure him relief.” 

She took a glass from the table and emptied into it half 
of the brown liquid contained in her little flask. Then she 
bent over the Prince and held the glass to his lips. 

Drink this,” she said, with solemnity, ‘‘and may the 
Lord our God bless the potion to you! ” 

The Prince drank in long draughts, emptying the glass 
to the last drop. Then he uttered one shriek, and sank back 
senseless on the pillow. 

“ If you have murdered him,” cried Dietrich, shaking his 
flst with menacing gesture — “ if you have murdered him, he 
sure that I shall find you out and hand you over to the hang- 
man.” 

She slowly turned and once more drew the long white veil 
over her face. “ To-morrow night I shall come again,” she 
said. “ Attend well to him, Dietrich, and see that he swal- 
lows nothing hut what you give him yourself.” 

Then she opened the door and stepped out. The corridor 
was still empty and tenantless; the sentinels had not yet ven- 
tured to return to their posts. They had all collected below 
in the guardroom, which was situated in the rear of the castle 
toward the Spree, and, pale with agitation and horror, were 
talking in whispers of the awful event. All at once it seemed 
to them as if a white shadow glided past outside the windows, 
as if two great, sparkling eyes looked in upon them. They 
jumped up, rushed out of the room, and out of the castle, 
shrieking out to the town, “ The White Lady! the White 
Lady! ” 

A couple of inquisitive men coming from Schwarzen- 
herg’s palace heard the shriek of terror and screamed it to 
others, and like a tempest of wind it rolled on, dragged every- 
thing into its eddying circle of awe and fright, rushed howl- 
ing through the night and penetrated into the brilliantly 
lighted palace of Count Schwarzenherg, even into the ball- 
room, where the tired couples were whirling in the last dance. 
“ The White Lady! the White Lady has appeared in the 
castle! ” 


THE WHITE LADY. 


299 


The words ran through the halls. The dancing ceased, 
and the music paused in the midst of a piece begun, for the 
Elector himself had risen from his game of cards, and the 
Electress had called the Princesses from among the dancers. 

The White Lady has been seen in the castle! 

These fearful words, brought to him by his wife, frightened 
the Elector out of his comfortable mood, and dissipated the 
cheering effects of the wine. The White Lady threatened 
him with death! The thought filled his whole soul, and made 
him all at once sober and serious. 

“ The Lady in White has appeared in the castle,” sighed 
the Electress, and my son Frederick William is sick. I must 
go to him — I must go to my son! ” 

The equipage rolled off to the castle. The Elector leaned 
back gloomily in the corner, thinking to himself: ^‘If I only 
knew whether she wore white or black gloves! Perhaps she 
only means to warn me, perhaps there is yet time to escape 
the mischief! The air of Berlin is very bad, and I vex myself 
too much here. As we drove up to the castle when we came 
from Kdnigsberg, one of our carriage horses stumbled and 
fell. That was an ill omen, and we should have heeded 
it and turned about immediately. Perhaps there may yet be 
time to flee from the threatened evil, if we go back to Kdnigs- 
berg! If I only knew what kind of gloves the White Lady 
wore! ” 

J ust tell me what sort of a tale this is about the White 
Lady?” asked Count Schwarzenberg of his Chamberlain von 
Lehndorf, after his guests had taken their leave. 

Your excellency, one of the sentinels on duty at the 
castle to-day came rushing into the palace, and shrieked out 
wildly and madly: ^ The White Lady! I have seen the White 
Lady! I must speak to the Elector! I have seen the White 
Lady! ^ I assure your excellency, it was actually terrific to 
witness the poor man’s fright. He was pale as death, with 
tottering knees and trembling in every limb. I myself felt a 
cold shudder creep over me, although usually I am neither 
timid nor superstitious. But it is such a singular coincidence, 
that the White Lady should appear on the very day when the 
Electoral Prince was taken so suddenly ill.” 

20 


300 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Yes, it is a singular coincidence,” said Schwarzenberg, 
shrugging his shoulders, and I should like to know the con- 
necting link. Well, I hope to fathom the mystery, and then 
the ghost story will resolve itself into a ridiculous reality. 
Early to-morrow morning I shall have all the soldiers called 
up, who were on duty at the castle to-night, and question 
them myself. The castellan’s wife, too, must he summoned. 
She is an honest woman of bold and sober wits, and from her 
I shall be best able to learn what is the meaning of this 
masquerade. Good-night, Lehndorf, sleep off your fright, 
you sentimental man, over whom a childish shudder still 
creeps, whenever he hears a nursery maid’s tale! I really envy 
you your implicit faith, you credulous man! One thing 
more, though: what news have we from the Electoral 
Prince? ” 

Most gracious sir, according to the latest accounts, the 
Electoral Prince was enjoying a little rest, having fallen into 
a profound sleep.” 

“ Very fine! ” said the count, entering his cabinet. Good- 
night, Lehndorf! ” 


XI. — The Puesuit. 

The next morning Count Schwarzenberg interrogated all 
the sentinels who had been on guard at the castle on the pre- 
ceding night. They unanimously affirmed that they had been 
awake and watchful when they had seen the White Lady. 
The sentinel before the Electoral Prince’s apartments had 
seen her enter those rooms, even distinctly heard the door 
creak as it closed behind her. Collectively the sentinels as- 
severated that afterward they had seen the White Lady pass 
before the guardhouse windows, and that she had even looked 
in upon them with her great black eyes. Even to-day they 
shuddered and trembled at the bare remembrance of the 
frightful apparition, and swore that they would rather die 
than see that horrible woman again. Then, when the soldiers 


THE PURSUIT. 


301 


had withdrawn, came the castellan’s wife, who had been sum- 
moned by Chamberlain von Lehndorf. 

And what say you to the goblin of last night? ” asked 
Count Schwarzenberg, noticing the castellan’s wife with a 
condescending nod. 

“Most noble sir,” replied the old woman solemnly, “I 
say that a member of the Electoral family will die.” 

“What? you, the prudent, wise, intelligent Mrs. Culwin 
— you, too, believe this ridiculous story?” 

“ Most revered sir, I believe in it because I know the 
White Lady, and have seen her often before.” 

“ Oh, indeed,” smiled the count; “ you count the White 
Lady among your acquaintances; you have seen her often 
before? Just tell me a little about her, my dear dame! When 
did you first see the specter? ” 

“ Almost twenty years ago, if it please your honor. I had 
just been a year in Berlin. Your honor knows I came here 
from Venice in the capacity of maid to your lady of blessed 
memory, and had committed the folly of giving up the count- 
ess’s good service in order to marry Culwin, the young cas- 
tellan.” 

“ And why do you call that a folly? ” asked Count 
Schwarzenberg, laughing. “ I have always believed that you 
lived in happy wedlock with your good man.” 

“ That may be so, your excellency, but for all that, a lady’s 
maid, who can live independently always commits a folly in 
submitting to a husband’s rule. And I could support myself, 
for your excellency paid me such a handsome salary, and I was 
in such favor with your blessed lady. Often, before I stupidly 
left her to get married, she would call me, and we would talk 
together of our beautiful home, our beloved Venice. Ah! 
your excellency, we have often wept together, and longed 
ardently to behold once more the city of the sea. Whoever 
comes from there never recovers from homesickness, and 
wherever he goes, and however far he may be removed, his 
heart still clings to Venice. That the gracious countess often 
remarked to me, weeping bitterly, which did her good, 
and 

“ You were to tell me when you first saw the White Lady,” 


302 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


interrupted Count Schwarzenberg, for he felt uncomfortable 
at being reminded of his wife, knowing as he did that she had 
spent hut few happy days at his side. 

“ That is true, and I beg your excellency’s pardon,” re- 
plied Mrs. Culwin. “ Well, then, I saw the White Lady for 
the first time in the year 1619. I had sat up late at night, for 
it was a few days before the Christmas festival, and, in ac- 
cordance with Germ.an customs, I wished to make a Christmas 
present for my husband, but had not finished the piece of em- 
broidery I destined for that purpose. As I sat thus and sewed, 
I felt as it were a cold breath of air on my cheek, as if some one 
rapidly moved past me. I looked up startled, and there stood 
before me a tall, womanly figure, clad in white, looking at me 
from under her veil with dark, flashing eyes; and then she strode 
toward the door, but ere she went out she lifted her arms to- 
ward heaven, and folded her hands, which were covered with 
black gloves, fervently together. So she stood for awhile, 
and then vanished without my seeing the door open or shut. 
So long as the specter was there I had sat stiff and motion- 
less, as if rooted to the spot; my heart seemed to stand still; 
I tried to scream, but could not. When she was gone, though, 
I shrieked fearfully, and my husband hastened to me, to find 
me in convulsions, and for hours I screamed and wept. My 
husband, indeed, tried to talk me out of it, and made me 
promise to speak of the occurrence to no one. But my silence 
was of no consequence, for the next day it was known to all 
the inmates of the palace that the White Lady had appeared, 
for very many had seen her. The old Elector John Sigis- 
mund had such a dread of the White Lady, and feared so much 
that she would appear to him, that he left the castle that very 
day, and went to the residence of his Chamberlain Freitag. 
There, however, he died in the course of two days, just two 
days before Christmas.* The White Lady was therefore right, 
with her deep mourning and black gloves, f It was not the 

* Historical. Vide Archives of Historical Science in Prussia. Edited 
by Leopold von Ledebur, vol. iv, p. 97. 

t They still made use of white as mourning in those days, and in half 
mourning wore black gloves. Therefore the White Lady appeared alto- 
gether in white when the death of the reigning sovereign or his wife was 


THE PURSUIT. 


303 


head of the family who died, for the old Elector had abdi- 
cated, and Elector George William was even then reigning 
Sovereign.” 

Truly, that sounds quite awful,” cried Count Schwarzen- 
berg; “ and since you saw the apparition with your own eyes, 
I can not dispute it. You said, though, I think, that you had 
often seen it?” 

'' Twice more, gracious sir. The second time was in the 
year 1625. There again, one night, in the center of my room 
stood the White Lady, and again lifted up her arms toward 
heaven before departing, and again she wore black gloves. 
And the next day died the brother of our Elector, the Mar- 
grave Joachim Sigismund.” * « 

And the third time ? ” 

For the third time I saw the White Lady ten years ago, 
therefore in 1628. This time she also wore black gloves, and 
a black veil besides. She again strode through my room, but 
neither wept nor wrung her hands. She had also appeared 
to the Elector himself, and addressed a few Latin words to 
him, which in German my husband said ran thus: ^Justice 
comes to the living and the dead.’ ” f 

I remember this last story very well myself,” said Count 
Schwarzenberg, with a peculiar smile. “ His Electoral Grace 
was very much shocked by the apparition, and its appearance 
was supposed to announce years of terrible war, for no one 
in the Electoral family died. Now tell me, Mrs. Culwin, at 
what time did the White Lady appear yesterday, and how 
was she dressed? ” 

Your excellency, I can not say exactly, for I did not see 
her yesterday. The soldiers, however, and watchmen, too, 
affirm that she was dressed entirely in white, which betokens 
the death of a person of high rank.” 

^^You did not see the White Lady yesterday, then? I 
think she always passes through your room, Mrs. Culwin?” 

She took another route this time, and something quite 

to be announced ; but if only some member of their family, in white 
with black gloves. 

* Vide Historical Archives, 
f Vide Buchholz’s History of Brandenburg. 


304 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


■unusual happened: she even appeared outside of the castle, 
for the soldiers maintain that she passed before their win- 
dows, and the watchman, who was just making his round, 
swears that he also saw a white figure glide past the wall. It 
seems that this time the White Lady came from the Spree 
side. She did not enter the great corridor at all, but repaired 
immediately to the Prince’s apartments. The sentinel says 
she went in, and that he distinctly heard the door creak and 
shut as she passed through.” 

“ Formerly no opening or shutting of doors was to be 
heard, was there? ” asked the count. 

‘‘ No, your excellency, I never heard anything of the kind, 
and it always seemed to me as if the door opened not at all, 
and as if the White Lady vanished like mist.” 

“And she only visited the Prince’s apartments? Do you 
know who was there?” 

“ Nobody hut the Electoral Prince and his valet, I hear. 
I myself was not at home when the event occurred. Your 
excellency’s stewardess had invited me to assist her in pre- 
paring yesterday’s feast, and I only returned in haste as soon 
as it was rumored that the White Lady was abroad in the 
castle.” 

“But you have surely seen and questioned the Prince’s 
valet? ” 

“He is the only man in the castle who can not be ap- 
proached with good or evil words, your excellency, and who 
brooks not being questioned. Of course, I tried questioning 
him about the White Lady, hut his only answer was that he 
had seen nothing, and did not believe in ghost stories. lie 
only knew that his dear young Prince was sick, and he trou- 
bled himself about nothing else.” 

“He is still sick then, the Electoral Prince?” asked 
Count Schwarzenherg with indifference. “ Has he not slept 
off his intoxication yet ? ” 

“ Most gracious sir, I do not believe that it was intoxica- 
tion, else surely the Prince would be well to-day! But he is 
not at all better, and the Electress, who visited her son early 
this morning, broke forth into loud weeping when she saw 
him, for he must look just like a corpse.” 


THE PURSUIT. 


305 


Did he recognize the Electress? Did he speak to her? ” 

He knows nobody, he does not open his eyes, hut lies 
there stiff and stark like a dead man, and if he did not some- 
times fetch a breath, you would believe that he were already 
dead. This the little Princess herself told me, as I accidentally 
met her in the passage, when she returned from visiting her 
brother. But the doctor says this sleep is the beneficial result 
of his treatment, and that when the Electoral Prince awakes 
he will he quite restored to health. He has ordered that no 
one else he admitted to see the Prince, and Dietrich watches 
over him like a Cerberus.” 

And he does well in that, Mrs. Culwin. I thank you for 
your information, and if anything new should happen I beg 
of you to come to me forthwith. Tell me one thing more: Do 
you believe that the specter will come again to-night? Is it 
the custom of the AVhite Lady to show herself oftener than 
once? ” 

^^My husband maintains that if she appears, as at this 
time, all in white, she will come again three nights consecu- 
tively. So it was when the Elector Sigismund died. 1 saw 
her only once, and she wore black gloves, hut the next even- 
ing my husband saw her on the other side of the castle dressed 
all in white, and on the third evening the Elector died.” 

It would, he interesting if the White Lady should come 
again to-night. I should like to know if it is the case, 
and Well, farewell, Mrs. Culwin, and if you learn any- 

thing new, share it with me. Perhaps I shall come over to 
the castle myself to-night.” 

He held out his hand to the old woman, and, as he pressed 
hers, he let a well-filled purse slip into it. He cut off her ex- 
pressions of gratitude by a short nod of the head, and waved 
her toward the door. The castellan’s wife withdrew, and, ab- 
sorbed in deep thought. Count Schwarzenherg remained alone 
in his cabinet. With hands folded behind his hack, he walked 
for a long while to and fro. His pace was ever steady, ever 
composed; his countenance seemed quite cheerful, quite tran- 
quil, and yet his soul was stirred by passion and a storm was 
raging in his breast. 

He is alive — he is still alive,” he said to himself. One 


306 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


could almost believe that he has a star above which watches 
over him and preserves him. It has been ever so from child- 
hood; and at times when I think of him I experience an un- 
wonted sensation — I am afraid of him. He is my deadly 
enemy, I know it. If I did not thrust him aside, he would 
do so with me. If I did not kill him, he would kill me. It 
was a mere act of self-defense to put him out of the way. If 
it miscarries, I am lost, for I shall not soon have courage for 
a second attempt. I am a coward in this young man’s pres- 
ence, I am afraid of him! He is my fate, my evil fate! And 
I can not avert it, can undertake nothing more. I lack a tool. 
Oh, what a blockhead I was to dismiss Metzel! His own sins 
were the scourge by which I lashed him into action. He was 
as wax in my hands, and if he failed this time, he must have 
tried it again. I would have driven him to it, and he would 
have been forced to obey. If the Electoral Prince should 
now get well, Metzel would be glad, for he is a soft-hearted 
fool, and had it not been for Rebecca’s sake, he could never 
have brought himself to commit the deed. Even while he 

executed it his heart bled, and My God! ” he suddenly 

exclaimed, ^^what a thought bursts upon me! If this Met- 
zel ” 

He was silent and sank into an armchair, putting his hands 
before his face, to shut out the outer world, to be undisturbed 
in his deep train of thought. 

Long he sat there, silent and motionless. Then he let 
his hands glide from before his face, which had now again 
resumed its haughty, composed expression, and arose from 
his seat. 

I must know what is the meaning of this ghost story,” 
he said softly to himself. Nowhere has the phantom been 
seen but in the antechamber to the Prince’s rooms. It did 
not go like other spirits through walls and closed doors, but 
must needs open and shut doors, like ordinary mortals. Yet 
old Dietrich denies having seen the White Lady in the Elec- 
toral Prince’s room. Then afterward the White Lady was seen 
outside the castle, she did not vanish through the air, but 
went out like a human being. It is a plot, that is clear. They 
are conspiring with the Electoral Prince, and profit by the 


THE PURSUIT. 


307 


mask to obtain safe access to the castle; or it may be Nietzel, 
come to confess what he has done to the Prince — mayhe even 
to bring him a remedy. I must nnravel it! I am sure the 
illusion succeeded so well last night that the apparition will 
be repeated. I shall make my regulations accordingly, and if 
it is so, then let the White Lady beware of me, for I am a 
good conjurer. I shall go to the castle myself to-night, and 
when the sentinels flee, I shall go in. Ah! we shall see who is 
stronger, the White Lady or the Stadtholder in the Mark! ” 
Melancholy and quiet reigned all day long in the Electoral 
palace. The Elector himself remained in his cabinet and had 
the court preacher John Bergius called, that he might pray 
with him and edify him by a few hours’ pious conversation. 
But the dreadful uncertainty as to whether the White Lady 
had appeared in deep mourning or with black gloves still con- 
tinued to disturb him, and whenever a door opened a shudder 
crept through his veins, for he thought that the White Lady 
herself might be coming to call him away. 

I shall leave Berlin,” he said perpetually to himself. I 
shall return to Kdnigsberg; for if I stay here I will certainly 
die of anxiety and distress. I can not live in the house with 
a ghost. I shall go away. Ah! there is the door opening 
again! Who is it? Who dares come in here? ” 

“ It is I, my husband,” cried the Electress, bursting into 
tears. I am just from our son.” 

How is he ? ” asked the Elector carelessly. Has he at 
last slept off the fumes of liquor? ” 

Alas! George, I fear this is no case of intoxication, but 
he is dangerously sick. The White Lady did not appear for 
nothing.” 

What, you think she came on our son’s account? ” asked 
the Elector, almost joyfully. You think it is not for 

our ” He paused and drew a breath of relief, for he felt 

as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his soul. You 
really think, my dear, that the White Lady came on our son’s 
account? ” 

I fear so, alas! I fear so! My son is sick and will prob- 
ably die, and our house will be left desolate, become extinct, 
and ingloriously decay. Oh, my son! my son! I had built 


308 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


all my hopes upon him, and when I thought of him the future 
looked bright and promising.^^ 

And if he were no more, then would all look sad and 
gloomy to you, although your husband would still be at your 
side, which rightfully ought to console you. But you have 
ever been a cold wife to me and a tender mother to your son, 
and it really vexes me to see how you love the son and despise 
his father. What an ado you make merely because your son 
has taken a little too much liquor, and suffers from the effects 
of intoxication, as the doctor says! ” 

But I tell you, George, the Electoral Prince is sick, and 
the White Lady 

“ I will hear no more of that,” broke in the Elector pas- 
sionately; it is a silly, idle tale, not worthy of credit. Every- 
body is dinning it into my ears to-day, and it is simply intol- 
erable to have to listen. I just wish that I could leave this 
place, to be rid of this tiresome ghost story, and not to have 
to undergo such torment and vexation. In Kbnigsberg, at 
least, we live in peace and quiet, and are not forever plagued 
by the sight of sullen faces and perpetual threats of war and 
pestilence. In Konigsberg Castle, too, the White Lady has 
never appeared, and there are no nightly apparitions there.” 

^^Let us return to Kbnigsberg, George! ” cried the Elec- 
tress. Do so for our son^s sake; I tell you if we stay here, 
he is lost! Death stands forever at his side, threatening his 
precious young life! Ask me not what I mean, for I can not 
explain myself; yet I feel that I am right, and that he is lost 
if we do not speedily depart. Only listen this one time to 
my entreaties and representations, my husband. Let us set 
out before it is too late.” 

Well then, Elizabeth, I will do as you wish,” said George 
William, who was glad that he could grant his wife what he 
so ardently wished himself. “ Yes, we shall promptly depart, 
since you urge it so pressingly.” 

The Electress gently encircled her husband’s neck with 
her arm and imprinted a kiss upon his brow. Thank you, 
George,” she whispered. You have probably saved our 
son from death. May the merciful God grant him restora- 
tion to health, and so soon as this is the case let us set off.” 


THE PURSUIT. 


309 


‘^Make all your preparations then, Elizabeth, for I tell 
you your tenderly beloved son is only a little tipsy, and to- 
morrow will be well as ever.” 

God grant that you speak the truth, George. Then let 
us commence our journey day after to-morrow, which is 
Wednesday. But hark! I have one more request to make of 
you. Tell no one of our projected trip. Let us make our 
preparations in perfect secrecy.” 

For all that I care,” growled the Elector. The prin- 
cipal thing is to he off. Abode here has been hateful to me 
ever since I heard those shouts of the populace the day our 
son returned. I can not live in a city where the mob under- 
takes to meddle in government affairs, and even prescribes 
to its Sovereign the dismissal of his minister. It is an up- 
roarious, insolent rabble, the rabble of Berlin, and I shall not 
feel glad or tranquil until I have left the place.” 

And I, too, George, will not feel glad or tranquil until 
we have left the place, carrying our son with us. I am going 
to work directly, and will prepare everything for our depart- 
ure, and consult with my daughters. But I must first go 
and see how our son is.” 

The Electress hastened hack to the apartments of the 
Electoral Prince, and old Dietrich came to meet her with joy- 
beaming countenance to announce to her that the Prince was 
awake, and felt perfectly well. '' He only feels a great weak- 
ness in his limbs, and his head is heavy. The doctor has been 
here, and ordered that the Prince he kept perfectly quiet 
to-day, and not allowed to speak with any one or to leave his 
bed. To-morrow he will be quite well again.” 

Then I will not speak to him,” exclaimed the Electress; 

I will only take one look at him and give him one kiss.” 

She entered her son’s sleeping room and stepped up to 
his couch. The Electoral Prince smiled upon her, and his 
large eyes greeted her with tender glances. He had already 
opened his mouth to speak, hut the Electress quickly laid her 
hand upon his lips. 

^^Do not speak, my Frederick,” she whispered softly. 
“ Sleep and compose yourself; know that your mother ten- 
derly loves you. For my sake, my son, keep quiet to-day; 


310 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


keep your bed and talk with no one. Will you not promise 
me? ” 

He nodded smilingly and imprinted a kiss upon the hand 
which his mother still held over his lips. The Electress hur- 
ried away, and Frederick again remained alone with his old 
valet. 

Now, Dietrich,” he whispered softly, now keep watch 
that no one enters, and let us quietly await the night.” 

Your grace thinks that the White Lady brought you 
good medicine last night, and that she will come again, do 
you not? ” 

“ I am convinced of it, my good old man. God has sent 
her for my cure. God will not have me die already.” 

The name of the Lord be blessed and praised! ” mur- 
mured Dietrich, sinking upon his knees in fervent prayer. 

Deep stillness pervaded the Electoral Prince’s apartments 
the whole day long, for nobody dared venture in. The doctor 
himself, who came toward evening, only peeped in through 
a crevice of the door, and nodded quite contentedly when Die- 
trich whisperingly told him that the Prince had again fallen 
into a gentle slumber. 

I knew it,” said the doctor with gravity. My medicine 
was meant to cure him by means of sleep, and I am not sur- 
prised that my calculations have proved perfectly correct. 
To-morrow the Prinee will be perfectly well — that is to say, 
if he regularly takes my medicine. It has been prepared for 
the second time, I hope? ” 

Yes, indeed, doctor, and the Prince has half emptied the 
second bottle.” 

The doctor nodded with an important air, and repaired 
to the Electress, to inform her that the Electoral Prince had 
been upon the point of taking a violent nervous fever, but that 
the right medicament, which he had given him, had averted 
this evil, and saved the Prince from imminent peril. 

Old Dietrich, however, threw away a spoonful of medicine 
every quarter of an hour, and when night came the bottle was 
empty. 

And now the longed-for night had closed in with its cur- 
tain of darkness, its noiselessness and quiet. Deep silence 


THE PURSUIT. 


311 


ruled throughout the castle, no loud word was any longer to 
be heard, not a man was to he met in hall or passage. Before 
the ushering in of the momentous hour each one had made 
haste to tuck himself up in bed, and shut his eyes, for every- 
body dreaded lest the specter of the preceding night should 
walk abroad again and show itself to him. The sentinels in 
the corridor before the Electoral suite of rooms and in the 
vestibule of the Prince’s apartments dared not walk to and 
fro, for the noise of their own steps terrified them, and the 
dark shadows of their own forms, thrown upon the ground by 
the dim oil lamps, filled them with unspeakable dread. They 
had planted themselves stiffiy and rigidly beside the doors., 
firmly determined as soon as the awful apparition should show 
itself to take to their heels and return to the guardroom. And 
happily they had some justification for this, inasmuch as the 
soldiers had received orders from the Stadtholder in the Mark, 
when they relieved guard, to convey instant tidings to the 
guardhouse if anything remarkable should occur. 

In order to convey instant tidings, they must of course 
take to their heels and forsake their posts. This was the only 
comfort of the soldier who was stationed in the vestibule 
leading to the princely apartments, and therefore he stood 
close to the door, which was only upon the latch, that he 
might the more rapidly gain the grand corridor, and warn 
in his flight the sentinels there. Yet he dared not open his 
eyes, and his heart heat so violently that it took away his 
breath. 

The great cathedral clock tolled the hour of midnight with 
loud and heavy strokes. The clock in the castle tower gave 
answer, and then the wall clock in the great corridor slowly 
and solemnly struck twelve. 

The soldier closed his eyes, and murmured with trem- 
bling lips, All good spirits praise the Lord our God.” 

The clangor of the clocks had ceased, and all again was 
still. 

The soldier ventured to open his eyes again. As yet no 
sound broke in upon the stillness; his glance timidly and 
slowly made the circuit of the hall. The two oil lamps burned 
clearly enough to enable him to survey the whole intervening 


312 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


space. He saw everything quite distinctly. There the door 
with the lamps, here the door beside which he leaned; against 
the wall on that side those two huge, black wooden presses, 
so curiously carved, and between them that little door. This 
door began to make him uneasy. Whither did it lead? Why 
stood no guard there ? Was it locked or merely latched? He 
asked himself all this with quickly beating heart, and could 
not turn his glance from it. He had never before observed it. 
NTow it seemed to him as if it moved! A cold shudder ran 
through his whole frame. 

Yes, it was no illusion! Yes, the door opened, and there 
stood the White Lady in her long, flowing robes! The soldier 
did not shriek, for horror had frozen the scream upon his lips. 
He tore open the door, and rushed into the corridor, and his 
deadly pale and terrorstricken face imparted with greater ra- 
pidity than words to the two sentinels there the dreadful 
tidings. All three ran down the corridor together to the 
front door, down the steps, across the wide court, and into 
the guardroom. 

The White Lady! the White Lady! they gasped. 

Where is she? Who has seen her?” inquired a form 
emerging from the rear of the room and approaching them; 
and now, as the lamplight fell upon this form, the soldiers 
recognized it very well — it was the Stadtholder in the Mark 
himself who stood before them, and behind him they saw his 
Chamberlain von Lehndorf and the police-master Brandt. 

Which of you has seen the White Lady?” asked Count 
Schwarzenberg once more. 

I, gracious sir,” stammered one of the three with diffi- 
culty. “ I was stationed before the Electoral Prince’s rooms, 
and I saw the White Lady enter through the little door be- 
tween the two presses.” 

And whither went she? ” 

That I did not see, your excellency, for ” 

For you ran away directly,” concluded Count Schwarz- 
enherg for him. “And you two others! You stood in the 
great corridor; did you see the apparition, too?” 

“ Ho, your excellency, we did not see her. She did not 
come through the great corridor.” 


THE PURSUIT. 


313 


You did not see her. Why did you run away then? ’’ 

Your excellency, we ran away because — ^because — we 
do not know ourselves.” 

“ Well, I know,” cried the count, shrugging his shoulders. 
‘^You ran away because you are cowards! Hush! No ex- 
cuses now! We shall talk about it early to-morrow morning. 
Stay here in the guardroom. I myself will go up and see 
what folly has frightened you hares. Lehndorf and Brandt, 
both of you stay here and await my return.” 

‘^But, most gracious sir,” implored the chamberlain, 
beg your permission to accompany you. Nobody can 
know ” 

Whether the White Lady may not stab and throttle me, 
would you say? No, Lehndorf, I fear no woman’s shape, be 
she clothed in white or black. I am well armed, and methinks 
the White Lady will find her match in me. All of you stay 
here; but if I should not return in an hour, then you may 
mount the stairs and see whether the White Lady has borne 
me off through the air. — Which of you,” he said, turning to 
the soldiers — which of you stood guard before the princely 
apartments? ” 

It was I, your excellency.” 

Whence came the White Lady? ” 

She came through the little door between the two presses 
in the vestibule.” 

It is well! You will all stay here. And, as I said, Lehn- 
dorf, if I return not in an hour, then come.” 

He nodded kindly to the chamberlain and strode out of 
the room. 

Meanwhile above, in the Electoral Prince’s chamber, the 
White Lady had been expected with glowing impatience. 
Dietrich had already stood for a quarter of an hour at the ante- 
chamber door, waiting with palpitating heart for her appear- 
ance. The Electoral Prince had with difficulty raised himself 
up, and, supporting himself upon his elbows, had been listen- 
ing with uplifted head in the direction of the door ever since 
the midnight hour had struck. And now the door opened 
and the White Lady glided in. With gentle, undulating 
gait and veil thrown back she went to the Prince’s bed, and 


314 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


when she saw him sitting up a smile lighted up her pale 
face. 

“ You see, Electoral Prince Frederick William, I have 
not deceived you,” she said; ^‘you live, and you will now get 
perfectly well.” 

Yes, I believe that I will get well,” replied the Prince; 
and I owe my life to you.” 

Never mind that,” said she, slowly shaking her head. I 
am not here for your sake, but for my poor Gabriel’s sake, 
to expiate his sin and to free his soul from guilt. I dare not 
use many words. The fame of the White Lady has spread 
through the whole city, and it may well be that they are on 
my track to-night — that Count Schwarzenherg’s suspicions 
have been aroused. He is a bad man, and I am afraid of 
him.” 

And yet you have come here! Have not shunned dan- 
ger in order to save me! ” 

I have not shunned danger in order to go to my be- 
loved and he able to tell him — ^ Lift up your head and rejoice 
in the Lord; crime is taken away from your head — you are 
no murderer, for the Electoral Prince lives.’ One thing I 
would like to add, and I beseech you to grant it to me. Say 
that you will pardon Gabriel Nietzel.” 

I pardon Gabriel Metzel with my whole heart, and never 
shall he be punished for what he has done to me! You have 
atoned for his crime, and may God forgive him, as I do.” 

I thank you, sir. And now take your second draught.” 

She took the little flask, poured the rest of its contents 
into a glass, and handed it to the Prince. 

Drink and be glad of heart,” she said, for to-morrow, 
early in the morning, you will awake a sound man. The 
angel of death has swept past you; take good heed lest you 
fall a second time into his clutches. Flee before him to the 
greatest possible distance. There, take, drink life and health 
from this glass, and the Lord our God be with you in all your 
ways! ” 

I thank you, and blessed be you too! ” And the Elec- 
toral Prince took the glass from her hand and drained it. 

^^It is finished,” said Eebecca, heaving a deep sigh. 


THE PURSUIT. 


315 


I can return to my beloved and my child. Fare- 
well! ” 

“ Give me your hand, and let our farewell be that of 
friends,” said Frederick William. 

She reached forth her little white hand from beneath her 
veil, and he cordially pressed it within his own. “ You are 
a noble, high-minded woman, and I shall ever remember you 
with gratitude and friendship. I owe you my life; it is truly 
a great debt, and you would be magnanimous if you could 
point out some way whereby the weight might be a little less- 
ened. I beseech you tell me some way in which I may prove 
my gratitude.” 

I will do so, sir! Some day when you are Elector, and 
a reigning Sovereign in your land, then have compassion upon 
those who are enslaved and oppresed, then spare the 
Jews! ” 

She turned away, drew her veil over her head, and dis- 
appeared. 

My work is finished! My beloved is atoned for! ” ex- 
ulted her soul. As if borne on wings of happiness and bliss, 
she soared through the antechamber and stepped out into the 
vestibule. 

All here was still and quiet, and she did not observe that 
the sentinel no longer stood at the door. Her thoughts were 
withdrawn from the present, her soul was far away with him 
— him whom she loved, for whom she had risked her life. 

Thus she sped through the great space and approached 
the door between the two presses. All at once she started 
and shrank back, and the tall, manly form standing before 
this door sprang forward, and with strong hand tore her veil 
impatiently from her head. 

Rebecca! ” 

Count Schwarzenberg! ” 

For one moment they surveyed one another with flaming 
eyes. 

She read her death sentence in his looks. But she would 
not die. Ho, she would not die! She would see her beloved, 
her child once more! AVith a sudden jerk she freed her arm 
from the hand that held her prisoner. She knew not what 


316 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


to do, whither she could flee. She had only a vague con- 
sciousness that to he alone with him meant death — that she 
would be safe only outside the castle. Without, on the street, 
Schwarzenberg would not venture to seize her, for he knew 
that she possessed his secret and that she would accuse him. 
She flew across the vestibule, tore open the door to the long 
corridor, and sprang down it like a hunted deer. But the pur- 
suer was behind her, close behind her! She heard his breath, 
he stretched out his hands toward her — she felt his touch, and 
again she hurst loose and flew away! ( 

At the end of the corridor is a small staircase which leads 
to the upper stories. She knows the way — oh, she knows 
the way! Above it is another long corridor, and if from the 
head of the stairs she turns to the right, she will reach the 
great staircase. She will hurry down to the quarters of the 
castellan and his wife; she will call — scream! 

Oh, if she can only get so far! 

She flies up the little steps, hut she feels the pursuer close 
at her heels. And just as she reaches the top step, his hand, 
like a lion’s paw, is laid upon her shoulder. 

Stand still, or I will strangle you! ” he murmurs. Stand 
still, and I swear that I will not kill you! ” 

No, no, I do not believe you! ” she gasps, and with both 
hands she seizes his and thrusts it hack. Only on, on! She 
no longer knows whether she turns to the right or left, she 
runs down the dimly lighted corridor, and he follows. 

“ 0 God! 0 God! there is no staircase! ” She has missed 
the way — there is no way out now! The dread enemy is be- 
hind her! She can no longer avoid him! He will kill her, 
for she knows his secret! No escape! — no deliverance! 

But at the end of the corridor she sees a door. If she can 
only succeed in opening it, jumping into the room, shutting 
the door, and drawing the holt! 

“ God help me! God he with me! ” she calls out aloud 
and flies to the door, hursts it open, rushes through, and — 
his weight presses against it; she can not shut it, she can not 
draw the holt. He is there with her in that little room, which 
has no other outlet. No deliverer is near! She falls upon 
her knees, and lifts up her arms to him imploringly. “ Oh, 


THE PURSUIT. 


317 

sir! oh, sir, pity! Do not kill me! I will be silent as the 
grave! ” 

“ As the grave! ” repeats he, with a savage smile. 

He stoops down and something bright glitters in his 
hand! She sees it quite clearly, for it is a bright summer 
night, and her eyes are inured to darkness. 

“Almighty God, you would murder me! Mercy, sir, 
mercy! ” 

He has closed the door behind them, yet the shriek of her 
death agony has penetrated the door and echoed down the 
corridor. Nobody hears it. All the chambers in this upper 
story are bare and uninhabited, and for economy’s sake the 
corridors and staircases in this upper part of the castle are 
unlighted. To-day, however, at nightfall, the Stadtholder 
had himself brought word to castellan Culwin that every 
passage, landing, and staircase in the whole castle should be 
lighted! And so it was, and even in that remote upper story 
lamps are burning. How long and solitary this corridor is! 
Not the slightest sound has broken the stillness since those 
two sprang into that room. 

But now! A fearful, piercing shriek! A death cry forces 
its way through the door and in one long echo vibrates along 
the corridor. It sounds like the wailing and moaning of in- 
visible spirits. Then nothing more interrupts the silence. 
Nothing more! 

The door opens again, and Count Schwarzenberg steps 
into the corridor. 

He is alone. 

He locks the door and puts the key into his pocket. Then, 
with quiet, firm tread, he goes down the corridor, down the 
little staircase, and finally, with composed, haughty bearing, 
down the great staircase into the guardroom. 

“ God be praised, your excellency, that you are here! ” 
calls out Lehndorf, hastening to meet him. 

Count Schwarzenberg nods to him, and then turns to the 
soldiers, who stand there silent and motionless. 

“What fools you are! ” he says, shrugging his shoulders. 
“ To put you soldiers to fiight no cannon is required, but only 
a couple of white cats. A white cat it was, which made cow- 


318 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


ards of you. I saw her bounding along before me through 
the great corridor, and followed her to the upper story. There 
she slipped into an open door, the last door in the upper story. 
I jumped after her into the little apartment, but she must 
have found some other way out, for I could find her nowhere 
again, and that is the only wonder of the whole story, for the 
windows were closed. For the rest I command you to let 
naught of this story transpire, for fear of giving rise to idle 
tales.” 

The soldiers heard him in reverential silence, but the next 
morning it was known throughout the castle and almost 
through the whole city that the White Lady had made her 
appearance again, and that at last, when pursued, she had 
vanished in the form of a white cat in one of the rooms in the 
upper story of the castle. After that nobody ventured into 
the upper story, and, as it was uninhabited, it was not neces- 
sary to station sentinels there. 


XII. — The Departure. 

When the Electoral Prince awoke the next morning after 
a long, refreshing slumber, his first glance fell upon his faith- 
ful old valet, who stood at the foot of his couch, his face 
actually beaming with joy. 

Why, Dietrich,” said Frederick William, you look so 
happy! What has altered your old face so since yesterday? ” 
The sight of you, most gracious sir, for your face has 
altered, too. Your cheeks are no longer deadly pale, nor your 
features distorted. Your highness looks quite like a well 
man now; somewhat pale, it is true; but your lips are again 
red and your eyes bright. Ah, gracious sir, the dear White 
Lady kept her word, she saved you! ” 

“ God bless her! ” said the Electoral Prince solemnly. 
"'But hark! old man, tell nobody that I have been saved. 
You must not use such dangerous words, not even think them. 
There was no need to save me, for I have been exposed to no 


THE DEPARTURE. 


319 


peril. I have not been sick at all, but only overcome by wine, 
and, to speak plainly, drunk — do you hear, old man? I have 
been drunk two whole days: such is the account you must give 
of my attack.” 

I shall do so, your highness, since you order it; hut it 
is a sin and a shame that I should slander my own dear young 
master, who is such a sober, steady Prince.” 

“ Now, Dietrich,” said the Electoral Prince, with a melan- 
choly smile, you give me more praise than I deserve. I was 
not quite so sober in Holland.” 

‘^No, sir; in dear, blessed Holland, life was a different 
thing. It was like heaven there, and when I looked at your 
grace I always felt as if I saw before me Saint George him- 
self, so hold, spirited, and happy you ever seemed.” 

^^And so I felt, too,” said the Prince softly to himself. 
'^But all that is past now. All! The costly intoxication of 
happiness is at an end, and I am sobered. Yes, yes,” he con- 
tinued aloud, springing with energy from his couch, “you 
are quite right, old Dietrich. Now help this sober, steady 
Prince to dress himself, that he may wait upon the Elector 
and Electress and announce his recovery to them.” 

After the Electoral Prince had made his toilet, he repaired 
to the Electoral apartments to pay his respects. George Wil- 
liam received his son with sullen peevishness of manner, 
hardly deigning to bestow upon him more than a single glance 
of indifference. 

“ Why, you still look pale and weak,” he said coolly. “ It 
is no great honor for a Prince to he overcome by a couple of 
glasses of wine, and to succumb as if he had been struck by 
a cannon hall.” 

“Most gracious sir,” replied Frederick William, smiling, 
“ I hope yet to he able to prove to your highness that I can 
stand against the fire of cannon halls better than Count 
Schwarzenherg’s wine, and that I can go to meet a battery 
of artillery more bravely than a battery of bottles.” 

“ I hope it will not be in your power to prove any such 
thing, sir,” cried the Elector impatiently. “ I want to hear 
nothing about war, and you must banish all thoughts of war 
and heroic deeds from your mind, and become a peaceful, law- 


320 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


abiding citizen. Your head has been turned in Holland, but 
I rather expect to set it right again! We are going back to 
Prussia, and you will accompany us. Go now to the Electress, 
and disturb me no longer in my work.” 

Frederick William bowed in silence and repaired to his 
mother’s apartments. The Electress received him with open 
arms, and pressed him to her heart. 

“ I have you again, my son, I have you again,” she cried 
with warmth. “ A merciful God has not been willing to de- 
prive me of my only happiness; he has preserved you to me. 
Oh, my son, I love you so much, and I feel, moreover, that 
you love me, and that we shall understand each other, and 
that all causes of disagreement will disappear so soon as that 
hateful, dreaded man no longer stands between us — he, who 
is your enemy as well as mine. We are going back to Prussia, 
and my heart is full of joy, hope, and happiness. There I 
shall have you safe; there you are mine, and no murderer or 
enemy there threatens my beloved only son! ” 

But, most revered mother, there the worst, most dan- 
gerous enemy of all threatens me.” 

Who is he? What is his name? ” 

Idleness, your highness. I shall be condemned there 
to an inactive, useless existence. I shall have nothing to do 
but to live. 0 most gracious mother! intercede for me with 
my father and Count Schwarzenberg, that I may be appointed 
Stadtholder of Cleves, for there I would have something to 
do, there I could be useful, and they wish for my presence 
there.” 

^^You do not wish to stay with me, then?” asked his 
mother, in a tone of mortification. “ You already wish your- 
self away from me and your sisters ? ” 

The Prince’s countenance, which had been just aglow 
with enthusiasm, having for the moment dropped its mask, 
now once more assumed its serious, tranquil expression, and 
again the mask was drawn over its features. 

I by no means long to be away from you,” he said quietly, 
but I shall delight in accompanying you to Prussia.” 

That is what I call spoken like a good, obedient child,” 
cried the Electress, and, Louise, I advise you to profit by 


THE DEPARTURE. 


321 


such an example. Just look at your sister, Frederick, only 
see what a sorrowful figure she presents. She does not even 
come to welcome her brother, but sits there quite disconsolate 
with tears in her eyes.” 

No, dearest mother, I am not crying,” replied the Prin- 
cess gently. “ I, too, am right glad that we are to return to 
Prussia.” 

That is not true, mamma,” exclaimed Princess Hedwig 
Sophie; “ she is not glad at all. On the contrary, she cried 
and lamented all last night, thinking that I was asleep and 
knew nothing about it. But I heard everything. I know that 
she would rather stay here, and that she finds it charming here 
all of a sudden, although she used to think it so dull. But 
Louise has entirely changed these last four days, and since 
he has been here she finds tiresome old Berlin a splendid 
place, and ” 

But, Hedwig,” interrupted her sister, whose cheeks were 
suffused with a crimson flush, what are you talking about, 
and how can you chatter such nonsense? ” 

^Ht is true, she talks nonsense,” said the Electress se- 
verely; " yet I should like to know what her words signify. 
Who is he who has so transformed tiresome Berlin in your 
sister’s eyes? ” 

Why, you do not know, mamma? ” asked the mischiev- 
ous child, smiling and putting on a look of astonishment. 
“ You do not know who loves our Louise so ardently, so pas- 
sionately? You do not know the man for whose sake she 
would leave father and mother? You do not know the only 
man whom the Princess Charlotte Louise loves? ” 

do not know, but I command you to tell me!” said 
the Electress dryly. 

“ Well,” said the Princess, smilingly surveying the group, 
it is our dear, only brother — ^it is Frederick William.” 

''You are a little blockhead!” exclaimed the Electress, 
shrugging, her shoulders and smiling. 

"You are a dear little rogue,” said Frederick William, 
tenderly embracing his willful sister. She playfully broke 
away from him, dancing through the hall, and challenging 
her brother to pursue and overtake her. Princess Louise said 


822 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


not a word, but the blush upon her cheeks died away, and 
the expression of horror and alarm vanished from her fea- 
tures. 

Still Princess Hedwig Sophie kept up her frolic, and as 
often as the Prince thought he had caught her she flew off 
again like a butterfly. Finally, at the extreme end of the 
hall, he held her fast, and now, laughingly and tenderly, she 
flung her arms about his neck, and whispered softly: Ex- 
pect me this evening in your room at nine o’clock. I have 
something important to tell you. Silence! ” 

Again she let him go, and continued to hop about, laugh- 
ing merrily and cheerfully as a child. 

And in the evening, when the clock in the great cor- 
ridor had just struck the ninth hour, the Princess Hedwig 
Sophie slipped unperceived into the room of her brother, 
who already held the door open for her and awaited her 
coming. 

Look, here you are, my princess of the fairies,” said he, 
smiling. What is there now on hand, and what playful 
scheme are you revolving in your mind to-day? ” 

But the countenance of the Princess exhibited no signs 
of playfulness. It was pale, and her whole being seemed under 
the influence of violent excitement. 

Frederick,” she said hurriedly, I have a dreadful secret 
to confide to you. Our sister Louise loves Count Adolphus 
Schwarzenberg.” 

I thought as much,” murmured the Prince. 

I have known it for a long while,” continued the Prin- 
cess, but I took no notice of it, hoping that absence and 
separation would make her forget him. But since his return 
I have had no more hope. Last night, in her distress, she be- 
trayed all to me, and I must tell you something dreadful, 
something shocking. You must reveal it to nobody— not 
another one must know it. Do you promise me that? ” 

I promise, Hedwig. But tell me what it is.” 

She bent over close to his ear and whispered: 

She has granted him a rendezvous.” 

Impossible, sister, you are mistaken! ” 

Ho, no, Frederick, I am not mistaken. I heard her my- 


THE DEPARTURE. 


323 


self when she told him so. It was in Count Schwarzenherg’s 
hothouse; I came behind her with the ladies, and she thought 
I was paying no attention whatever to her and all that she 
was saying to Count Adolphus. But I managed to watch her 
constantly without attracting the attention of the ladies I 
was with. My eyes and ears are very sharp, and I saw her 
press a note into his hand, and heard her repeat to him the 
contents of the note, appointing an interview with him this 
evening at ten o’clock. Old Trude is to wait for him at the 
hack side door of the castle next to the cathedral, and she is 
to conduct him to her. You must not suffer it, Frederick 
William; that bad Count Schwarzenberg shall not carry off 
my sister.” 

No, that he shall not,” said the Prince. “ I thank you, 
sister, for coming to me. We two shall save her — we two 
alone, and nobody shall know anything about it. Even she 
herself must not find out that we know her secret. We must 
be brisk and determined, though, for it is late, only wanting 
a half hour of being ten o’clock. Who is old Trude? ” 

Louise’s chambermaid, who has been with her all her 
life, for Trude was her nurse. She idolizes our sister, and 
would go through fire and water for her sake. What Louise 
commands is law with her.” 

“ Then we must prevent old Trude, by force or cunning, 
from going to the door and admitting the count.” 

By force, impossible, for that would make a noise; but 
by cunning. I have it, Frederick, I have it! I will entice 
old Trude into my room and then lock myself in with her, 
playing all sorts of tricks, and seeming to have no object at 
all in view but amusement and teasing. I will take care of 
old Trude.” 

And I of Count Schwarzenberg. It is high time, sister! 
Make haste, lest old Trude escape you. But hark! It will 
be necessary for you to speak to the old woman, besides. You 
must threaten her with revealing the whole affair to our 
father if she does not do as you command, and tell our sister 
that she waited for the count a whole hour in vain.” 

You are right, Frederick. That is still better. Louise 
must believe that he did not come. To work! — to work! ” 


324 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


The Princess sprang away with the fleetness of a gazelle, 
and the Prince was left alone. 

“ I wish I could go to meet him sword in hand/’ he mut- 
tered between his clinched teeth. I understand their game. 
They would have poisoned me and carried off my sister, so 
that she would have been forced to marry him, and then by 
means of the Emperor she would have been declared heiress 
of the Electoral Mark of Brandenburg. Ah! I penetrate their 
designs, and they shall not succeed. Their poison proved in- 
efficacious, and so shall their love! Now away to the door 
through which the fine gallant was to have entered. He will 
find it locked, and I shall keep guard before it the livelong 
night.” 

The Prince left his own apartments, and hurried down 
a private staircase and through dark passages to the door 
designated. It was only on latch, but a key was in the lock. 
Quickly he locked the door, and then stood listening intently. 
It struck ten o’clock, and as the last stroke vibrated in his 
ear a hand was laid upon the door latch outside, and a manly 
voice whispered: Trude, open! It is I. The one whom 
you expect! Open, quick! ” 

^‘Were it hell,” murmured the Prince softly to himself, 
yes, were it hell, I would open the door. But there is no 
admittance to paradise for you. Knock on, knock on! The 
gates of the Electoral mansion are not undone for you. Knock 
on; the castle of the Elector of Brandenburg is locked against 
you, and you must stand without, you Counts of Schwarzen- 
berg, for you shall not thrust me out of the palace of my 
fathers! I shall be Elector of Brandenburg in spite of you, 
and then. Count Schwarzenherg, Stadtholder in the Mark, 
then he on your guard! I shall remember. Count Adolphus 
Schwarzenherg, that your finger rapped at this door, threat- 
ening to bring shame and disgrace upon this house! And 
then, perhaps, I may open a door for you, and allow you to 
enter, hut it will not be for a lover’s rendezvous, and the door 
which admits you will not so easily grant you an escape. Now 
I suffer and endure, hut a time of reckoning will come! 
Schwarzenbergs, beware of me! ” 

For a long while yet the Electoral Prince stood within 


THE DEPARTURE. 


325 


the door, and for a long while yet, at intervals, the knocking 
on the outside was repeated. Then all was still. Frederick 
William returned to his own apartments. 

Early next morning took place the departure of the Elec- 
toral family for Prussia. It was to be wholly without formal- 
ity, and consequently no one had been notified. The Elector 
had only caused the two Counts Schwarzenberg to he sum- 
moned after the carriages were ready, and when they came 
in haste they found the Electoral family just on the point of 
entering their several equipages. 

“ I meant to set out secretly,” said George William, stretch- 
ing out both hands to the Stadtholder, “ in order to spare 
myself the pain of bidding you farewell, Adam. But now I 
find that my heart is stronger than my will, and I must em- 
brace you once more before I go! ” 

While the Elector embraced his favorite and received from 
him assurances of perpetual fidelity. Count Adolphus Schwarz- 
enberg approached the Princess Charlotte Louise, who stood 
silent and apart in a window recess, looking out upon the 
street with pallid countenance and eyes reddened by weeping. 

Louise,” he whispered softly, Louise, you ” 

But before he could utter another word. Princess Hedwig 
stood beside him, addressing him with amiable speech, and 
the Electoral Prince approached his sister and offered her his 
arm to conduct her to the carriage. She walked along, lean- 
ing on her brother’s arm, without once lifting her eyes from 
the ground, deeply humiliated by the thought that her lover 
had caused her to wait for him in vain. A quarter of an hour 
later the two clumsy vehicles containing the Electoral family 
rolled out of the castle gate and struck into the road leading 
to Kdnigsherg. The White Lady had driven away the Elector 
George William, and he was nevermore to behold the palace 
of his fathers. 

The White Lady had saved Prince Frederick William, and 
as he now drove through the gates of Berlin in that clumsy 
old coach he said to himself, with joyful anticipation: ‘‘I 
shall see you again, Berlin! I shall see you again, dear town 
of my fathers! I shall come hack, and, please God, not humbly 
and enslaved as I go away to-day, hut as a Prince, who is lord 


326 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


within his own domains, with God in his heart, a clear sky 
overhead, and no Schwarzenbergs upon the horizon! 

Wearily and panting for breath the poor horses dragged 
the heavy carriage through the sands of the Mark, but within 
sat the Electoral Prince — within sat Caesar and his fortunes. 


BOOK IV. 


I. — The Youthful Sovereign. 

The Elector George William had been gathered to his 
fathers. On the 1st of December in the year 1640 he had at 
last closed his weary eyes, and hidden farewell to a world 
which had brought him much grief and disquiet, little joy 
and repose, much mortification and disappointment, never a 
single triumph or solid satisfaction. 

The Elector George William had been gathered to his 
fathers, and^^s son Frederick William was Elector now. Two 
melancholy years of privation and humiliation, resignation 
and oppression, had he passed at his father’s side, ever sus- 
pected by him, ever watched with jealous eyes, and forcibly 
denied any participation in the administration of the govern- 
ment, ever struggling with care, even for daily food, and 
forced to borrow at usurious rates of interest to provide even 
a meager support for his little household. It had been a 
severe school, hut Frederick William had passed through it 
with a brave spirit and cheerful determination. Across the 
dark and gloomy present his clear eye had ever been directed 
to the future, and hope had ever lingered at his side, holding 
him erect when overburdened by care, consoling him when 
vexed and humiliated by his father’s unjust suspicions and 
ill will. Not unexpectedly had the Elector George William 
died; full two months before his summons came, the two 
physicians in ordinary, after holding a long consultation with 
the celebrated Kdnigsberg doctors, announced to the Electoral 
Prince that the Elector was drawing near his end, and that 
his dropsy and insidious fever were slowly hut inevitably 
causing death. 


327 


328 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


The Electoral Prince had had time, therefore, to prepare 
for the momentous hour which would call him from obscurity 
and inactivity — time to summon to him those whoni he wished 
to have at his side in the critical hour. Up to the period of 
his fathers death he had been an obedient, submissive son; 
yet he had well known that as soon as George William closed 
his eyes he would have to step into his place and be his suc- 
cessor. And he would be a worthy successor! That he had 
vowed, clasping his father’s cold hand. He had told his 
mother so when, beside her husband’s corpse, she had blessed 
him in his new dignity, and besought his protection and love 
for herself and her two daughters! Yes, he would be his 
father’s worthy successor; he would force the world to re- 
spect him. Such were his thoughts as, on the day after his 
father’s decease, he for the first time entered his cabinet, and 
seated himself before the great writing table at which the 
Elector had been wont to sit. 

To the last day of his life George William had himself 
held the reins of government, and, in the timid jealousy of 
his heart, angrily refused all aid, all assistance. Yo one had 
dared to open and read the incoming rescripts nor to attend 
to neglected business. 

On the table lay whole piles of unopened letters and re- 
scripts, whole heaps of acts awaiting only the Electoral signa- 
ture. Erederick William laid his hand on these acts which 
he had now to sign, and his large, deep-blue eyes were up- 
lifted to Heaven. 

‘‘ Lord! ” he cried fervently — “ Lord, make known to me 
the way in which I should go! ” 

These were the first words spoken by Frederick William 
on commencing his reign, and on seating himself before his 
father’s cabinet table, which was now his own. 

He took up the first of the sealed documents and opened 
it. It was a representation from the cities of Berlin and Co- 
logne, whose magistrates implored the Elector to furnish them 
some redress for their affliction and want, and besought him, 
even now, to make peace with the Swedes, and to command 
the Stadtholder in the Mark to institute a milder government 
in the unhappy province. In heartrending words they pic- 


THE YOUTHFUL SOVEREIGN. 


329 


tured the distresses of both wretched cities, which had so far 
declined that they had now hardly seven thousand inhabit- 
ants, while ten years ago they had numbered more than twenty 
thousand. But fire, pillage, and oppressions,^’ so the writing 
wound up, ''have reduced us to the most extreme poverty. 
Many of the inhabitants have made haste to end their wretched 
lives by means of water, cord, or knife, and the rest are upon 
the point of forsaking their homes, with their wives and chil- 
dren, preferring exile to remaining longer in these cities, the 
abodes of pestilence and war. The Stadtholder in the Mark, 
however, feels no pity for our sufferings, and just recently, 
despite our entreaties, has had all the suburbs burned down, 
because the Swedish general Stallhansch was on the march 
against us. We most urgently entreat your highness to have 
compassion upon us in our low estate, and to instruct the 
Stadtholder to slacken the severity of his rule and to spare 
us in our grief.” * 

Sighing, Frederick William laid aside the melancholy 
writing, and took up the next in order. It was a petition 
from the town of Prenzlow, not less sad, not less moving than 
the first. The magistracy of Prenzlow likewise prayed for 
compassion and redress of grievances, and painted in mov- 
ing words the misery of town and country. " Since,” they 
wrote, " on account of the unhappy war existing, the fields 
hereabout had been lying idle for some years, such un- 
heard-of scarcity had ensued that the people had not only 
been driven to making use of unusual articles of diet, such 
as dogs, cats, nay, even dead asses lying in the streets, hut 
impelled by the fierce pangs of hunger, in town as well as 
in the country, had fallen upon, cooked, and devoured one 
another! ” f 

" Much to he pitied land, and much to he pitied Prince 
as well,” sighed Frederick William. "A heavy, an almost 
intolerable burden of government has fallen upon my shoul- 
ders. God help me to sustain it worthily! ” J 

* See von Orlich, The Great Elector, vol. i, p. 50. 

t Von Orlich, p. 53. 

t Frederick William’s own words. See Droysen’s History of Prus- 
sian Policy, vol. iii, p. 215. 


330 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


He stretched out his hand for a third paper, when the 
door opened and old Dietrich entered. 

^‘Well, old man/’ asked the Elector, ^^what brings you 
here? And why is your old face so merry to-day? ” 

Because I have something pleasant to communicate to 
your highness. The two gentlemen whom your honor has 
been expecting are here. Colonel von Burgsdorf and ” 

Leuchtmar? ” Joyfully inquired the Elector, and, upon 
Dietrich’s assent, he hurried himself toward the door. But 
after he had already stretched out his hand to turn the knob, 
he paused and slowly resumed his place in the middle of the 
room. 

Who is in the antechamber, besides? ” he asked. 

Your highness, there are also without the gentlemen 
whom you summoned to an audience, the Chamberlain von 
Schulenhurg, Herr von Kroytz, Herr von Kospoth, and the 
jeweler Dusnack.” 

Those gentlemen may wait. Desire Herr von Kalkhun 
to come in.” 

Dietrich withdrew to the antechamber. The Elector’s 
eyes were fastened upon the door with an expression of Joyful 
expectancy. When it opened, and the tall, slender form of 
his friend and preceptor became visible, he could restrain him- 
self no longer, hut, forgetting all ceremony, all etiquette, hur- 
ried with outspread arms to meet Leuchtmar, and impetuously 
clasped him to his breast. 

God he praised that I have you again! ” he said, with 
a warm embrace. " Once more I have found a father and a 
faithful friend. Welcome, you man of loyal heart, with my 
whole soul I hid you welcome! ” 

‘^And you, most gracious sir,” cried Leuchtmar, deeply 
moved, may you ever receive blessings and good gifts from 
on high, and always deserve them by noble thoughts and 
deeds! Such shall he my prayer evening and morning, and 
your highness shall verify my petition.” 

Amen! God grant it! ” said Frederick William solemn- 
ly. And now, look at me, my friend, and let me read in 
your features that you are the same as of old.” 

The same as of old, indeed! ” smiled Leuchtmar. These 


THE YOUTHFUL SOVEREIGN. 


331 


two years have made an old man of me, and blanched my 
hair. I not merely longed after yon, I grieved for yon, know- 
ing, as I did, what yonr grace had to bear and snlfer. My 
heart was weighed down by grief and sorrow when I thonght 
of what my beloved yonng master was nndergoing.” 

^‘It is trne,’^ said Frederick William. “I have gone 
throngh hard trials and had many hnmiliations to endnre. 
I have been treated as an adventnrer and alien, nnworthy of 
being employed or consnlted. I was forever snbjeeted to sns- 
picion, and accnsed of coveting a throne before my time. 
If I asked after my father’s health, he snpposed I did so 
becanse I longed for his death; and if I made no inqniries, he 
accnsed me of indifference and want of natnral affection. 
Alas! Lenchtmar, in the despair of my sonl I have actnally 
thonght at times that the beggar on the street had an enviable 
fate compared with that of the Electoral Prince of Branden- 

bnrg — and Bnt hnsh! hnsh! I will no longer think 

of the past with bitterness and chagrin. Reproach against 
my father shall never pass my lips. He rests with God, and, 
as his sonl has entered into everlasting rest, let ns not stir np 
the ashes of memory, bnt let peace be between father and son, 
eternal peace! And now, my friend, be the past forgotten 
and blotted ont, with all its pains and wonnds, and to the 
present and fntnre only be onr thonghts dedicated. Yon are 
here; I have again my most trnsted friend; and in this the 
very first honr of onr rennion I will confess something to yon, 
Lenchtmar, which yon indeed have long since known, bnt 
which I in the arrogance of yonth have sometimes denied. 
I now feel that Socrates was a wise man when he said, ^ Onr 
edncation begins with the first day of life, nor is complete 
upon the last.’ Fate has indeed placed me in a difficnlt school, 
and I am conscions that I am far from possessing adeqnate 
attainments, and that there is still mnch for me to stndy and 
digest. Therefore, my friend, from yon I demand aid, that 
I may stndy to some pnrpose, and that I may at least take 
position in the world and among posterity as a first-class 
scholar.” 

Ah! most gracions sir,” said Lenchtmar, smiling, yon 
are already more than that, and have in these two years of 
22 


332 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


trial passed your examen ahiturientium with great distinc- 
tion.” 

And think you I am entered now as a student in the high 
school of knowledge? Yes, Leuchtmar, such is indeed the 
case, and since it may well be that at times I shall make false 
steps, and commit blunders through inadvertence or misun- 
derstanding, I demand of you to point out to me my mis- 
takes.” 

But, your highness, I might myself he the one in error, 
and in my short-sightedness attempt to teach one much better 
acquainted with the subject than myself.” 

“ In such case let us weigh and compare opinions, when, 
surely, we shall discover the right. Only promise me this one 
thing, Leuchtmar, that on all occasions you will speak the 
truth to me, according to the best of your knowledge and per- 
ception — that you will not conceal it from me, even when you 
may know that it will he irksome and disagreeable to me. 
Will you promise me this, my friend? ” 

I promise it. I promise, if your highness requests the 
expression of my views and opinions, to give you the truth, 
according to the inmost convictions of my heart.” 

“ No, Leuchtmar, in important matters you must give 
me your opinion, even when I have not asked for it.” 

Well then, your highness, I promise that too.” 

And on my side I promise always to listen patiently, and 
not to become angry and excited, even when our opinions 
disagree and you utterly oppose me. You smile and shake 
your head. Probably you think that I can not keep my 
promise.” 

I do think so, your highness; yet I fear not, and shall 
courageously weather the storm. I am already old and have 
witnessed the gathering of many a tempest, have seen the 
clouds hurst, and afterward seen the bright blue sky and 
cheerful sunshine again. I shall not fear, even though the 
thunder roar and growl, for the thunder has somewhat of the 
voice of God, and there is something exalted and majestic in 
the lightning’s flash. Only, gracious sir, it must not strike, 
but content itself with harmless shining. Will you most kindly 
promise me thus much,. gracious sir? ” 


THE YOUTHFUL SOVEREIGN. 


333 


Am I J upiter, that I hold the lightning in my hand, 
and can direct its stroke? ” 

Yes, indeed, sir, Jupiter you are, in your native element, 
amid the flash of lightnings and the roar of thunder.’’ 

The Elector smiled. “ Tell me, Leuchtmar, am I really 
then of so fiery a temperament and of so passionate a nature? 
Why do you not answer me? The truth, Leuchtmar, the 
truth! ” 

Well, the truth is that your highness is of quite a fiery 
temperament and of a tolerably passionate nature. But you 
are not to blame for this, for it was entailed upon you with 
your Hohenzollern blood. You are the worthy descendant 
of your ancestor Albert Achilles; and be glad of this, sir, for 
by sluggish blood and soft complexion great things have never 
been accomplished.” 

Then you expect me to accomplish great things? ” 

Yes, your highness, such are indeed my expectations, and 
I glory in them! ” 

We will talk of this hereafter, friend,” said the Elector, 
gently shaking his head. But now let us forget what I have 
become since yesterday, and consider that I have a heart, 
which is young still and full of love and ardor, despite all it 
has suffered. Two months ago, when the doctors told me that 
my dear father’s case was hopeless, I dispatched secret mes- 
sages to two friends, and requested them to come here and 
tarry in the neighborhood of Konigsberg until I should have 
them summoned by a courier. I was not willing to vex my 
father in the least degree during his lifetime, and would not 
even see my friends in secret, but preferred to wait patiently 
until I could do so openly.* The two friends whom I sent 
for to be near me were Burgsdorf and yourself, my Leuchtmar. 
But to you I gave previously another commission. Have you 
executed it? ” 

Yes, your highness, I have executed it.” 

“You have been to Holland? At The Hague and at 
Doom ward? ” 

“ I have been there, gracious sir! ” 

“ You have been there,” repeated Frederick William, draw- 

* The Elector’s own words. Vide Droysen, vol. iii, p. 217. 


334 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


ing a deep breath. 0 Leuchtmar! you men in private life 
are happy because younre free. You can go whither you will, 
and follow the dictates of your own hearts. But we, poor 
slaves to our position, must accommodate ourselves to cir- 
cumstances, and patiently submit to the laws of necessity. 
How often has it seemed to me as if my longings could not 
be repressed, as if I must break all bonds and hasten to that 
free and happy land where the fairest days of my life were 
passed. How often, in reflecting upon the past, has it seemed 
as if a fire were kindled in my breast, mounting in clear flames 
to my head to lay my reason in ashes. But I durst not allow 
this, and with my own sighs extinguished the leaping flames, 
and, Leuchtmar, shall I confess it? At this moment I am 
cowardly, and speak so much, because — ^yes, because I lack 
the courage to ask one open question. But I will be bold and 
courageous, I will conquer my poor, foolish heart. Tell me, 
then, Leuchtmar, what I must know! I sent you to Holland 
to obtain certain information with regard to the evil reports 
which have been circulated here. I gave no credit whatever 
to them, for I knew they were anxious that I should contract 
a certain marriage, and would therefore crush the love I was 
cherishing for another person. And yet this other lived within 
my heart, and when I closed my eyes I saw her before me in 
all her beauty and loveliness, and at night, when all the trou- 
bles of the day were over, and I was alone in my chamber, 
she was near me, speaking to me and consoling me with the 
sweet, kind words she whispered to my heart. Ah, you see, 
Leuchtmar, I am but a very young man, and — courage, cour- 
age! out with the question! Have you see the Princess Lu- 
dovicka Hollandine ? ” 

As Frederick William asked this question he walked to 
the window and turned his back to the room. A pause en- 
sued, then Leuchtmar replied, in gentle, sorrowful tones, No, 
gracious sir, I have not seen the Princess.” 

A shudder passed over the Prince’s frame, but he did not 
turn around. 

''Why did you not visit her? Why did you not see her, 
when I had commissioned you to speak with the Princess 
herself? ” 


THE YOUTHFUL SOVEREIGN. 


335 

Most noble sir, I could not speak with the Princess, for 
she was no longer at The Hague.” 

No longer in Holland? ” asked the Elector, and his ques- 
tion sounded like a cry of grief wrung from a tortured heart. 
“ Where was she then? Where was Ludovicka? ” 

Most noble sir, you have imposed upon me the duty of 
always telling you the truth, but at this moment I feel it to 
be a difficult duty.” 

“Perform it, Leuchtmar, I require you to do so! Where 
was the Princess Ludovicka, if she was no longer with her 
mother? ” 

“ Your highness, the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine has 
voluntarily forsaken her mother and her family, and at first 
they knew not whither she had gone.” 

“ And do they know now? ” 

“ The Electress of the Palatinate had received her first 
letter from the Princess the day before I waited upon her, 
and, as the Electress had ever honored me with her confi- 
dence, she communicated to me the contents of that letter.” 

“What were they? Quick, tell them quickly, that my 
heart may not break meanwffiile. What was in the letter? ” 

“ It said, most gracious sir, that of her own free will, and 
out of most tender love for the chosen of her heart, she had 
forsaken her mother’s house because that Princess had re- 
fused her consent to her union with the man — these were her 
own words — with the man whom she loved above all others. 
It said, moreover, that the Princess had followed this man, 
the Count d’Entragues, to France, and that for the present 
she had withdrawn to a convent, preparatory to professing 
the Catholic religion and then marrying Count d’Entragues.” * 

The Elector uttered a hollow groan, and, putting both 
hands before his face, as if he were ashamed of what he felt, 
sank upon a chair, and sat long thus, breaking the silence with 
occasional sighs and groans. 

Leuchtmar dared not interrupt this sacred silence even 
by a word, or to offer comfort to the agonized heart of the 
young Prince by words of consolation. He knew that strong 

* Historical. Vide Letters of the Duchess of Orleans to Countess 
Louise. 


336 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


heart must first vent its grief in order to gain repose, and that 
only from within could spring up that consolation which 
strengthens and sustains. 

After a long pause, after a hitter inward conflict, Fred- 
erick William allowed his hands to drop, revealing a face pale 
as death and lips whose corners twitched convulsively. 

‘‘ Leuchtmar,” he said, this is the baptism by which I 
am consecrated to my new office. It is, indeed, a baptism 
of tears, and has torn my wounded heart, I grant you. But 
such a baptism of tears was needed to wash from my heart 
all that could derogate from the lofty calling to which alone 
my whole being should he dedicated. No one on earth can 
accomplish anything great who has not first received a bap- 
tism of grief and tears. By such baptism the soul extricates 
itself from earthly wishes and selfish desires, and he who 
would be a thorough man and accomplish great things must 
he lord of himself, and have no wishes for himself, hut to 
attain glory and honor! And so I now shake the past from 
my soul as a torn and tattered garment, and would despise 
myself if even a sensation of pain were left behind. No, no, 
I am free! My heart is coffined, and I shall close the lid and 
hid it an eternal farewell! ” 

Your heart coffined, your highness! ” said Leuchtmar 
gently. You think so now, hut I tell you it will again rise 
from the dead, and heat with full ardor and glow, for, God 
he thanked, the heart of man is a tenacious thing, and dies 
not from one dagger- thrust. Its wounds can he healed, and 
then it is so much the stronger because it knows what it can 
suffer and overcome! ” 

Enough now, my friend, enough! ” cried Frederick 
William, shaking his head so violently that his brown locks 
fluttered in wild disorder. Thus I shake off an unworthy 
love and all vain lamentations. Now, Leuchtmar, I am the 
man, the Elector. A very young man, you will say, hut one 
who has stood the brunt of battle and fire, who in days has 
lived through years, and consequently is old, for my twenty 
years count double. Baron von Leuchtmar, I have much 
to discuss with you, and I summoned you here for important 
consultations, but stay — a man is without whom I can keep 


THE YOUTHFUL SOVEREIGN. 


337 


waiting no longer, for his time is valuable, and he who makes 
a workman wait robs him of his capital. I beg you, Leucht- 
mar, to open the door and call the Jeweler Dusnack.” 

Leuchtmar hastened to obey this order. As he turned 
toward the door Frederick William once more passed his hand 
rapidly over his face, and for a moment pressed it to his eyes. 
As he drew it away he felt a drop fall burning upon his hand, 
and it shone there like a bright diamond, but — his eyes were 
now dry and glittered with the fire of resolution. 

“ Well, Master Dusnack,” exclaimed Frederick William 
to the approaching Jeweler, ^^have you brought us, as di- 
rected, a few seal rings, from which to make our selection? ” 

Here they are, your Electoral Highness,” replied the 
Jeweler, holding out a little box and handing it open to the 
Elector. Frederick William examined with interest the bright 
and sparkling rings, which were in separate compartments, 
and nodded kindly to the Jeweler. 

You are a skillful workman, and your rings please me 
well,” he said. “ These things are tastefully designed and 
prettily executed. You must have very good workmen, and 
it pleases me that such things are made in our country. For 
I suppose, of course, these beautiful rings emanate from your 
own workshop.” 

“ Most gracious sir, I would that it were so, and it is not 
my fault, indeed, that it is otherwise. I have been long in 
foreign lands and studied and worked in the first Jewelry estab- 
lishments of Paris. But I find no apprentices here capable of 
executing such artistic and delicate work, and can only have 
ordinary gold and silver ware made here, such as forks, spoons, 
mourning rings, and articles of that kind; hut for my finer 
ornaments and such costly rings as these I must send to Paris 
and Lyons, where the goldsmith’s art fiourishes, while it is 
frightfully depressed here, both for the want of purchasers 
and artisans.” 

Then we must see to it,” said Frederick William, that 
such times are ushered in, that men shall feel free to purchase 
golden trinkets, and that clever workers in gold be attracted 
here, in order that we may dispense with foreign manufactures. 
As soon as the times become somewhat more tranquil, we. 


338 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


too, will have need of goods of that sort, for not long since 
all the Jewels of our house were stolen.* But I tell you. Master 
Dusnack, we shall only buy such things as have been designed 
and executed at home. Therefore exert yourself, and procure 
good workmen. For this time I must needs content myself 
with foreign wares and select a seal ring. I therefore take 
this one with the ruby, and you must engrave our country’s 
coat of arms upon it without delay.” 

“Your highness’s orders shall be obeyed,” replied the 
Jeweler respectfully. “ Does your highness merely wish the 
coat of arms upon the seal, or would you like a motto added? ” 
“ Yes, master, a motto shall be added, to run thus, ^ Lord, 
make known to me the way in which I should go.’ Will you 
write it down, master, that you may not forget it? ” 

“ Your Electoral Highness, it is not necessary, for you 
have impressed it on my heart.” 

“ Go then, master, and inscribe it for me right plainly on 
the stone.” 

The Elector turned to Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun 
as soon as the Jeweler had taken his departure, saying, “ How 
for you, friend, and our plans of government.” 

* In the year 1638 a ship, on board of which were all the Electoral 
jewels to the amount of sixty thousand gulden, was plundered by a de- 
tachment from the corps of General Monticuculi, and all the jewels ab- 
stracted. Count Schwarzenberg had three officers concerned in it ar- 
rested, and carried to Spandow for trial. Although the Emperor himself 
desired the release of the imperial officers, the Stadtholder not only re- 
fused this, but even subjected the three officers to the torture, in order 
to extort from them a confession of the place where the jewels had been 
hid. But they confessed nothing, meanwhile remaining in confinement 
until the Elector Frederick William restored to them their freedom. 
Vide von Orlich, The Great Elector, vol. i, p. 53. 


PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. 


339 


II. — Plans for the Future. 

^^Yes, friend, I want to discuss government affairs with 
you,” continued the Elector, with a faint smile, sinking hack 
in the armchair before the writing table. “ Sit down, Leucht- 
mar, quite close to me, for I shall now disclose to you what 
no other mortal ear must hear; I shall reveal to you my 
thoughts and plans. Man is, after all, hut a weak and tender 
creature, and it is a necessity with him to have some trusted 
soul on whom he can rely for sympathy, and to whom he can 
tell all that moves his inner being. To me, Leuchtmar, you 
are that trusted soul, and in this hour I will make known to 
you the inmost recesses of my heart. You shall learn who I 
am, what I think, and what are my aspirations, that you may 
always comprehend and appreciate me, standing with ever- 
ready succor at my side. For I hope you have no engage- 
ments elsewhere, and from this moment enter my service? ” 

“ I have hitherto lived in quiet and retirement at Cologne 
on the Rhine, waiting for the hour which should summon me 
to my gracious master’s presence, for you are the only Sover- 
eign upon earth whom I would serve, and to you belong my 
being, thoughts, and all that in me is of energy and skill.” 

I have counted on you, Leuchtmar, and well I knew that 
my reliance would not he in vain. You must aid and sustain 
me, for I stand in urgent need of wise friends, of diligent, 
faithful workers, in order to gain the goal which I have placed 
before me in the future, and to execute the schemes which 
I have planned. In the first place, Leuchtmar, do you know 
properly who I am? ” 

“Yes, your highness,” replied Leuchtmar, smiling. “I 
think I know right well. You are the youthful hero, the 
Hercules to whom the gods have committed the twelve diffi- 
cult tasks, that he may prove himself a demi-god, and who 
now begins his work with the zeal of courage and the inspira- 
tion of faith.” 

“The comparison may be slightly applicable,” said the 
Elector, “ and as far as the Augean stable is concerned. I, too, 
have my stable to cleanse; only it belongs not to Augias, hut 


340 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


to Schwarzenberg. Still, I will try to purify it. But I must 
set about my undertaking with dexterous bands; of that, how- 
ever, let us speak hereafter. I shall first consider your simile, 
drawn from the story of Hercules. Do you know, Leuchtmar, 
the names of my twelve tasks, and their extent? I ask you 
once more, do you know who I am, or, rather, what my name 
is? Look, there lies the document which I am just on the 
point of sending to my good subjects, and by means of which 
I shall notify them of my assumption of the reins of govern- 
ment. Just read the heading, Leuchtmar.^^ 

Leuchtmar took the paper handed him and read: “ ^ We, 
Frederick William, Marquis of Brandenburg, Lord High 
Chancellor and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, Duke of 
Prussia, Julich, Cleves, Stettin, Pomerania, Cassuben, and 
Vandalia, as also Duke of Silesia, Croatia, and Jagerndorf, 
Burgrave of Nuremberg, Prince of Rugen, Count of Mark- 
berg and Ravensberg, Baron of Ravenstein.’ ” 

“ Enough! ” cried the Elector. You have now read the 
outlines of my Herculean task, you now know who I am. A 
Prince of long titles, not one of which has its foundation in 
truth and reality. And this is my Herculean task, to make 
these titles real, and to give a good kernel to these empty nut 
shells. Look, Leuchtmar, there is a map. Let us examine 
it and compare it with my titles, for it is a map corresponding 
finely with these titles, and on which all the counties and 
provinces pertaining to them are designated. Marquis of 
Brandenburg, that is my first title, and you would naturally 
suppose that this, at least, was veritable, for the Mark is the 
oldest possession of our house, and my ancestor, the Bur- 
grave Frederick von Nuremberg, was invested with it by the 
Emperor. But what do I obtain from the Mark? Friend 
and foe have quartered there, until they have changed it into 
a desert; famine and pestilence hold sway there, and the 
despairing inhabitants have left their fields untilled and wan- 
der about shelterless and hungry. The only prosperous man 
there, possessed of power and consideration, is the Stadt- 
holder in the Mark, Count Adam von Schwarzenberg. The 
Mark suffers and groans, but he is of glad heart, and the dis- 
tress of the people touches him not. What cares he for land 


PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. 


341 

or people, save in so far as they conduce to the furtherance of 
his own ends, and do you know what those ends are ? 

He is an Imperialist and a strict Catholic,” said Leucht- 
mar, and it must be confessed that he would rather see the 
whole Mark go to destruction than behold it Protestant and 
independent.” 

Yes, he has let the Mark Brandenburg go to destruc- 
tion! ” cried the Elector, with flashing eyes. Catholic and 
Imperialist he would have it. And I can not reach him, he 
knows very well that I must spare him, and that he, the power- 
ful, opposes me, the powerless. To him have the commandants 
of the fortresses and the soldiers sworn allegiance; the Em- 
peror protects him, and would esteem it an act of rebellion 
against imperial majesty itself if I were to depose Schwarzen- 
herg from office. It would he a departure from the course 
pursued by the Mark for twenty years past, for, since Schwarz- 
enherg has flourished as Stadtholder, the Emperor has been 
the real lord of the Mark, and not an order nor rescript ever 
issued from my father’s cabinet to which the Emperor had 
not given his consent, or of which he had not previous knowl- 
edge. I must therefore for the present still suffer Schwarzen- 
herg to he lord of the Mark, for I have not power to defy the 
Emperor and call down upon myself his rage. The Lord 
High Chancellor and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire 
must for the present how humbly to the Emperor, and submit 
in silence to the evils of his lot. My duchy of Pomerania the 
Swedes have appropriated to themselves, and I can not, as I 
should like, wrest it from them by force of arms, for I have 
no weapons, no soldiers, no army; I must now try to come 
to an amicable understanding with them, and, if possible, 
make peace with them. In Julich and Cleves I am duke, 
too, as my title vouches, hut to he so really I must first rescue 
these countries from the Dutch, and then he able to defend 
them against the cupidity of France. And my duchies of 
Silesia, Croatia, and Jagerndorf? The Emperor has taken 
possession of them as if they were his own fiefs, and he will 
he little likely to restore them to the powerless Elector of 
Brandenburg. Neither will the Saxons easily relinquish to 
the weak Elector Magdeburg and Halberstadt, which coun- 


342 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


ties they hold enthraflled. Alas! Leuchtmar, you see of all 
my vast possessions I only retain the empty titles.” 

“ But one country your highness has omitted in your 
enumeration, and there, undoubtedly, you are undisputed 
Sovereign, no enemy having supplanted you in this land. 
You are Duke of Prussia, and there, at least, ruler also! ” 
Yes, I am Duke of Prussia — that is to say, if King Wlad- 
islaus of Poland will condescend to invest me with this duchy, 
and allow me to go to Warsaw, humbly to kneel to swear al- 
legiance to him, and acknowledge myself one of his vassals. 
Until he has done so, I am not the legalized ruler even here in 
Prussia, and the King of Poland will already consider it as 
an infringement upon his supremacy that I have not forth- 
with dismissed the Prussian chamber of deputies, which held 
its sitting in my father’s lifetime, hut allowed it to prolong its 
session. There, too, as at the imperial court, I . must give 
fair words, must show myself humble and obedient, so as not 
to excite untimely enmity against myself, and rouse the 
mighty against the weak. For what refuge would remain 
to me, or where would I find support, if the Emperor of Ger- 
many and the King of Poland should threaten me with their 
enmity? ” 

“ I should think the Swedes would he delighted to have 
your highness for an ally, to stand with them against the 
Emperor and the German Empire, ^and the States-General, 
too, would gladly give you the right hand of confederation.” 

“ Oh, yes, the Swedes would gladly accept me as their 
ally, provided that I would voluntarily resign to them Pom- 
erania and Riigen, renouncing all claim to these lands; and 
the States would gladly extend to me the right hand of fel- 
lowship, only I must have first laid down in this hand the 
duchies of Cleves and Julich as an offering of friendship! 
But such a thing would I never do, and never shall I peaceably 
resign the smallest strip of land that should be mine to pur- 
chase thereby repose for myself. Up to this time I have en- 
joyed only the title to my lands, hut it must and shall be now 
the purpose of my whole life to substantiate these claims, and 
not merely to conquer back what is my own, but, an’ it please 
God, to enlarge my territories and give to them unity and 


PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. 


343 


compactness. I am noAv a Prince only by my armorial bear- 
ings, but I will be a veritable Prince. I now wear only the 
most delapidated semblance of a Prince’s mantle, inflated by 
hollow wind, but I shall change it into a purple mantle, such 
as no German Prince would be ashamed of, which every one 
in the German Empire shall respect, yea, even the Emperor 
himself.” 

^^And you will gain your end,” cried Leuchtmar, “yes, 
you will gain it. It stands written on your lofty brow, it 
shines forth from your fiery eyes, and is spoken by every fea- 
ture of your noble, energetic face. You will gain your end. 
From the confusion and chaos of. the present times you will 
emerge as a distinguished, mighty Prince; out of nothing- 
ness and disorder you will construct a powerful state, and 
to your towering titles give a firm basis of strength and 
truth! ” 

“Amen! God grant it!” said Frederick William, piously 
lifting his large eyes to Heaven. “ It seems now, indeed, as 
if it were an unattainable goal,” he continued, after a pause, 
“ and to no one else would I confess it, for I would only be- 
come the scorn and derision of my enemies.” 

“ But the delight of your friends! ” cried Leuchtmar, 
deeply moved, “ the invigorator and uplifter of your friends! ” 

“ Friends, say you? Where are my friends? Look abroad 
throughout the whole German Empire, the whole of Europe, 
and then tell me where my friends are. I have not even 
friends in my next-door neighbors, not even in my nearest 
relations! Yes, were I rich and influential, had I protection 
to give and benefits to dispense, then would the Princes far 
and near gladly bethink themselves of the claims of con- 
sanguinity, and overwhelm me with civilities and attentions. 
But I am powerless, and they dread lest I should need their 
protection and their influence; therefore are they forgetful 
of family ties! But they shall find themselves mistaken in 
me, my dear relatives! They shall be forced some day to ac- 
knowledge that the Elector of Brandenburg is self-sustain- 
ing, and stands erect without the aid of foreign supports. 
You look at me doubtfully, and perhaps think me a braggart, 
promising great things which I may never be able to perform? 


344 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


It would seem so, indeed, now, for where are the means for 
accomplishing such aims? Wretched and in the process of 
dissolution is all about me, nowhere do I see determined 
friends, efficient followers! ” 

Oh, gracious sir, in that you go too far! You know your- 
self how much Schwarzenherg is hated in all your territories, 
how ardently all patriots long for his deposition from the 
government; for the league with the Emperor is detestable 
to everybody, and fear of Catholic domination and desire for 
the Swedish alliance prevail among all your subjects.” 

Yes,” cried the Elector, adherents of Sweden there 
are in my dominions, and Schwarzenherg has indeed opponents 
enough. But he has friends as well, whom he has purchased 
with his good money and his protection. But tell me, where 
is an Electoral party, one deserving the name by its unity and 
determination, a party which looks not to the right or left, 
but straight ahead in the direction that I shall take? The 
old friends of my house are dispersed, hunted into banish- 
ment, exiled, or dead; on whom else could I depend? All 
positions in the army and government, all offices has Schwarz- 
enberg filled with his own creatures; and should I venture to 
step in their way, and endeavor to effect their and his ruin, 
I might easily come to ruin myself. In what direction, then, 
can I look for help? ” 

To yourself, most noble sir, to your own mind and 
heart! ” cried Leuchtmar, with enthusiasm. 

It is as you say, I should be a fool were I to seek pro- 
tection elsewhere. Protection from the Emperor, the em- 
pire, Poland? Protection from comrades in the faith or blood 
relations? My empire is within myself, and by God’s help 
the foundations shall be laid! ^ Man forges his own fortunes.’ 
That is a good old proverb. Well, I will try to be a good smith. 
I have played anvil long enough, and hard enough have been 
the blows dealt me by Count Schwarzenherg. I shall now 
try being the fist that guides the hammer, and I think I have 
a tolerably strong fist, that will be able so to wield the hammer 
as to fashion for myself a worthy scepter.” 

A great and noble task has God committed to your high- 
ness,” said Leuchtmar; to you is it given to create your own 


PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. 


345 


state, and what you shall be hereafter you will owe to your 
own powers.” 

" And to the assistance of true servants, tried friends and 
followers! ” cried the Elector, cordially extending his hand 
to his faithful counselor, although now I only know two 
men on whom I can rely — ^yourself and Burgsdorf. But to- 
gether we form no contemptible trio, and I am confident that 
great results will follow our efforts, and, in order that you 
may see what I am projecting, tarry here while I call in old 
Burgsdorf.” 

With alert step the Elector moved to the door and opened 
it. Colonel von Burgsdorf! ” he cried, then turned, strode 
through the cabinet and seated himself in the armchair be- 
fore his father’s writing table. 

In the door of the entrance hall now appeared Colonel 
von Burgsdorf, his broad, red face wearing an embarrassed 
expression. Standing still in the doorv^ay, he looked across 
at the Elector, who, his back half turned, seemed to take no 
notice of his approach. 

Xo doubt,” said Burgsdorf to himself, " he has had me 
summoned in order to give me my discharge; he has not yet 
forgotten how desperate I was in the year ’38. It is over with 
you, Conrad, and you can go home, because, like the old ass 
that you are, in sooth, you uttered aloud the pent-up agony 
of your soul! ” 

But while he was talking thus to himself with deep resent- 
ment, his countenance expressed nothing hut devotion and 
anxiety; in humble, soldierly attitude he stood in the door. 
The Elector had his eyes fixed upon some papers lying on 
the table before him, and seemed absorbed in their perusal. 
Leuchtmar at last ventured to accost him. 

‘‘ Gracious sir,” he said softly, “ Colonel von Burgsdorf, 
whom you called, has come in and is waiting for your 
orders.” 

He is waiting! ” cried the Elector. " Then I shall cer- 
tamly have to ask his pardon in the end, for well I know that 
Colonel Burgsdorf does not understand waiting.” 

Without doubt,” repeated Burgsdorf to himself, ‘^he 
has summoned me merely to give me my discharge.” 


346 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


" Colonel von Burgsdorf ! now cried the Elector, turning 
half toward him with grave, severe countenance, ^^just tell 
me how strong was the regiment which you enlisted for the 
Electoral army last year? 

Most gracious sir, I enlisted two thousand four hundred 4 
men.” 

That is to say,” cried the Elector sternly, you obtained 
the bounty money for recruiting two thousand four hundred 
men; hut I would be glad to learn of you how many of those 
men actually existed.” 

Your highness,” stammered Burgsdorf in confusion, I 
do not understand what your grace means. If I obtained 
bounty money for two thousand four hundred men, they cer- 
tainly existed.” 

So one would suppose, indeed,” replied the Elector; 
^^yet it can not have been, for before me lies a letter from 
Count Schwarzenherg to my father, and only hear what the 
Stadtholder in the Mark writes. Leuchtmar, come here please 
and read.” 

Leuchtmar hastened forward, and, taking the paper which 
the Elector held out to him, read: ^ It is to be lamented that 
the officers contrive to pocket so much press money and 
hardly produce one out of every six men said to have been 
enlisted. Colonel von Kehrdorf received pay and rations 
for twelve hundred men, and yet had not over eighty; 
General von Klitzing’s regiment ought to he two thousand 
strong, and in reality numbers only six hundred; Colonel 
Conrad von Burgsdorf gives out that he has two thousand 
four hundred recruits, and there are not quite six hundred 
of them.’ ” 

That is a lie — a base lie! ” cried Burgsdorf, whose face 
was purple with passion. The Stadtholder in the Mark has 
always been my enemy and opponent, and if he maintains 
that I only enlisted six hundred men ” 

He maintains something quite untrue,” interrupted the 
Elector; but he maintains no such thing. You interrupted 
Leuchtmar; let him read to the end, and hear the conclusion.” 
Leuchtmar read on: ‘ And if you pick perhaps two hundred 
able-bodied men out of the six hundred, there remain four 


PLAN'S FOR THE FUTURE. 


34:7 

hundred feeble, sickly fellows, who would fall down like dead 
flies on the very first march.’ ” * 

‘‘You see that Schwarzenberg does not maintain that you 
enlisted six hundred able-bodied men.” 

% “ Your highness! ” cried Burgsdorf, trembling with pas- 

sion, “ this I see, that you have had me called here in order 
to dismiss me, to banish me forever from your presence — ^and 
yet I have served you so faithfully, and have always hoped that 
you would forgive me.” 

“ Forgive? ” asked the Elector. “ Had I anything to for- 
give in you? ” 

“ Most gracious sir, that time after your return from The 
Hague I let my old heart carry me away; it was whoUy 
wild and ungovernable and forgot the deference due your 
grace.” 

“ Ah, I remember now,” said the Elector, gently nod- 
ding his head. “ That time when you wanted to make a revo- 
lution and required me to place myself at your head. You 
wanted to make of the poor little Electoral Prince a mighty 
rebel, and were even so kind as to promise that when with 
your help he had crushed Schwarzenberg he should become 
his father’s prime minister and Stadtholder in the Mark.” 

“ Your highness,” cried Burgsdorf indignantly, “ those 
were well-meant schemes, and originated in the excess of our 
love for you.” 

“ Only, if I had adopted them, my father would have easily 
subdued the princely rebel with the Emperor’s support. The 
Stadtholder in the Mark would then have had the pleasure 
of seeing upon the scaffold the Prince who had dared rebel 
against his own father, as befell Prince Carlos of Spain, when 
he revolted against his father. King Philip. I thought a little 
about that unhappy, misguided Prince, and profited by his 
example. You probably did not think of him, Burgsdorf, 
and fell into a great rage. I am glad you remember that day, 
for actually I had forgotten it.” 

“ Most gracious sir, I would like to bite out my own tongue 
and swallow it,” screamed Burgsdorf, raving. “ I am a genu- 
ine old ass, and you do well to dismiss me forthwith; for I 

* Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, p. 180. 

23 


348 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


deserve nothing better, and am served quite right. Just speak 
out at once, your highness. I am discharged, am I not ? 

Quietly, Burgsdorf ! commanded the Elector sternly. 
^‘1 am no longer the Electoral Prince at whom you can 
scold and bluster, as you did that time in the palace of 
Berlin.” 

^^You always go hack to the old story,” groaned Burgs- 
dorf. 

And you,” said Frederick William, you are just as im- 
patient as you were then. You cried murder and death, be- 
cause the Electoral Prince would not do your will! I told 
you — I remember that very well now — I told you that I would 
learn and wait. I begged you to do the same and wait also. 
But you, you would not wait; you cried out that you had 
already waited twenty years, and that now your patience was 
exhausted. You had no compassion on the youth of eighteen 
years, who had just come out of a foreign land, and hardly 
knew how to distinguish friend from foe because he was not 
acquainted with the condition of things. And yet you were 
already old and in your twenty years of waiting ought to have 
learned a little prudence! But you had learned nothing at 
all and could not wait, and gave me up with wild impatience 
because I would not be guilty of criminal disrespect toward 
my father.” 

^^Most gracious sir, you cut me to the quick! Each of 
your words is a dagger aimed right at my heart. Let me go; 
let it bleed in solitude and retirement.” 

And old von Burgsdorf turned and went to the door. 

Stay there! ” called out the Elector in commanding tone, 
arising from his seat and standing proudly erect. Burgsdorf, 
who had just laid his hand upon the door latch, let it glide 
down, and stood abashed and humble. 

You gave me up and forsook me that time in Berlin,” 
continued Frederick William, scolded and upbraided me, 
merely because I wished to learn and wait. That proves to 
me that you have never learned and never waited. Learn now. 
Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf. Withdraw into that window 
recess, and wait until I speak to you again and tell you my de- 
cision with regard to you.” And once more the Elector opened 


DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS. 


34:9 

the door of the antechamber and called Chamberlain Werner 
von Schulenburg into his cabinet. 


III. — Diplomatic Missions. 

‘‘ Schulenburg/’ said the Elector to the advancing cham- 
berlain, “ you will set out immediately. Go to Berlin and in- 
form the Stadtholder in the Mark, Count von Schwarzenberg, 
of my father’s death. Announce to his excellency that it is 
my urgent and pressing request, that he continue to burden 
himself with the duties of the Stadtholdership.” 

An involuntary growl issued from the window where 
Burgsdorf was stationed. The Elector took no notice of it, 
and proceeded: “ Moreover, request the Stadtholder in my 
name to write to me immediately, advising me what to do 
with regard to the Eegensburg Diet, because we can not now 
with the required dispatch rightly apprehend and maturely 
consider the matter on account of our great affliction.* 

A second growl issued from the window, and called a 
slight, passing smile to Frederick William’s face. 

Then,” continued the Elector, notify the Stadtholder 
that I shall be glad to retain the present governors and garri- 
sons of the forts; but that it would please me if we could 
infflct some injury upon the enemy at one place or the other; 
but, mindful of his hitherto glorious and successful manage- 
ment, I feel that I need only direct his attention in a special 
manner to the fortresses.” 

Old Burgsdorf’s growl now became almost a shriek of 
pain. It is unheard of,” he said, in quite an audible voice. 

With a proud movement of the head the Elector turned 
to him. “ Burgsdorf,” he said, you were to learn to wait; 
be silent, then, as becomes an humble scholar.” 

Again the Elector turned to the chamberlain. That is 
all I liave to say to you, Schulenburg. I hope you have for- 
* The Elector’s own words. Vide Droysen, History of Prussian Poli- 
tics, vol. iii, p. 220. 


350 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


gotten nothing, and that you will punctiliously execute every 
command.” 

“ 1 trust that your highness is convinced of my zeal and 
fidelity,” replied the chamberlain, bowing reverentially. “ I 
shall punctiliously execute all your orders, and have only to 
ask further when I am to set off? ” 

Immediately,” said the Elector, and travel post haste. 
Farewell! But hark! Schulenburg, you have obtained my 
official dispatches, now I shall add a little private errand. 
When you have communicated all this to the Stadtholder, 
exactly as directed, then converse a little with him in the most 
friendly manner, and in the course of conversation, as if of 
your own accord, sound Count Schwarzenherg as to his in- 
clination to pay us a speedy visit in Prussia, the better to con- 
sult with us concerning the onerous duties of the adminis- 
tration. Then ask him casually, but in quite an innocent 
manner, whom he would recommend meanwhile as his sub- 
stitute.* And now, God speed you, Schulenburg, go and 
carry out all my orders to the letter. As you pass out, send 
in to me the two gentlemen waiting in the antechamber.” 

With a condescending nod of the head, he offered his 
hand to the chamberlain, who pressed it fervently to his lips, 
and then left the cabinet with hasty steps. 

And now for you, gentlemen,” cried the Elector, advan- 
cing a few paces to meet Herr von Kreytz and Herr von Kos- 
poth, who were just entering the cabinet. I have an impor- 
tant commission to intrust to both of you. You are both to 
proceed to Poland and announce my father’s death to King 
Wladislaus. That is your affair specially, John von Kospoth. 
You know how to frame courteous speeches, and will inform 
the King that my father (peace be to his ashes!) has not been 
a more submissive vassal than his successor Frederick expects 
to be; you will tell him that the Dukes of Prussia are very 
faithful and obedient servants to the King of Poland, and 
know very well that they should be his Majesty’s most humble 
vassals.” 

Again a passionate murmur proceeded from the window, 
and Burgsdorf’s flushed, angry countenance appeared between 

* The Elector’s own words. See von Orlich, History of Prussia. 


DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS. 


351 


the silk curtains. The Elector saw this by a furtive glance, 
and again something like a smile passed over his countenance. 

Turning to the second gentleman, he continued: You, 
Wolfgang von Kreytz, will present my most submissive and 
respectful greetings to the King of Poland, and acquaint him 
with the fact that I take my predecessor’s place as duke in 
the dukedom of Prussia. Inform him that I recognize the 
King as lord paramount, and humbly sue for investiture. 
Tell him that I have hitherto forborne to perform the func- 
tions of ruler, and committed the government to a board of 
regency, and am meanwhile striving with the greatest dili- 
gence to acquire a knowledge of the rights and privileges of 
the land. Pay, both of you, the most polite and friendly 
court to the King and all his ministers. Asseverate every- 
where that we know right well that our succession in Prussia 
depends wholly upon the King’s choice, and that we would 
naturally desire to present ourselves in person and swear al- 
legiance to his Majesty. And after you have impressed all- 
these statements fully upon his mind, add that to our deepest 
regret we can not come immediately, on account of the bad 
condition of our hereditary estates and manifold business per- 
taining to the Koman Empire, which Just now prevent us from 
undertaking the Journey. Then petition for a gracious dis- 
pensation from personal attendance, and request his Majesty 
to grant a written order for the feoffment. Should the King 
make known to you through his counselors that he will not 
grant this written order, then desire a private audience of 
the King, and represent to him that we have been forced to 
assume the government, and deprecate his displeasure. Wait 
also upon the most prominent ministers, and represent the 
same thing to them. By your eloquence and zeal I hope that 
you will accomplish your purpose, and bring me the investi- 
ture. To this end spare neither flattery nor fair words.” 

''Most gracious sir,” asked John von Kospoth, with a 
meaning smile, " but if, unfortunately, flattery and fair words 
prove of no avail, what must we do then? ” 

" You answer that question for me, Wolfgang von Kreytz,” 
said the Elector. 

" Most gracious sir,” exclaimed the young baron spirit- 


352 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


edly, if all entreaties and persuasions fail to move, I think 
it will be time to assert your Electoral dignity, and to have 
recourse to a little threatening. We should give the King of 
Poland to understand that you claim the succession in Prussia 
by virtue of your own good right; that your father, the Elec- 
tor George William, undertook the government before the 
investiture, and that you will defend your duchy of Prussia with 
all the means at your command, and will never give it up.’’ 

Very good,” said a deep voice from behind the window 
curtain. 

Do you mean to speak so too, John von Kospoth? ” asked 
the Elector. 

If flattery and persuasions bring forth no fruit,” replied 
Kospoth, it would be a satisfaction to me, too, to threaten.” 

poor satisfaction!” cried the Elector, ‘^unless we 
could forthwith follow up our threat by action, and send out 
our regiments to declare war! Ko, sirs, if you try in vain to 
bribe with fair words, then we must resort to money! Money 
is also a weapon, and, if report speak truly, an effective one 
among the Polish lords, their King himself respecting it. In 
extremity, therefore, if you can not go forward at all, then 
have their Majesties, the King as well as Queen, notified, by 
means of some trusty person, that if we obtain the grant of 
the government on the spot, and have no difiiculty with re- 
gard to investiture, we shall pay to both their Majesties, as 
a bonus, the sum of sixty thousand Polish florins, and after- 
ward wait upon the great chancellor, vice chancellor, and 
lord high chancellor, salute these gentlemen from me, and 
promise each one of them ten thousand Polish florins. Take 
care, though, to stipulate for some time to be allowed us for 
the fulfillment of these promises, for where the money is to 
come from is as yet a riddle to ourselves. Such is my com- 
mission, gentlemen. Hasten to execute it.” 

And now,” exclaimed the Elector, when the two gentle- 
men had left the cabinet, “ now. Colonel von Burgsdorf, you 
have received your first lesson, and have learned to wait a 
little. Come forward now; I have something to say to 
you.” 

^^And I, sir,” called out Burgsdorf, as he rushed forth 


DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS. 


353 


from the bay window and threw himself on his knees before 
the Elector, first of all, I have something to say to you. 
Your highness, above all things I must beg your pardon from 
the bottom of my heart, and confess to you the evil thoughts 
that led me to suppose that the Elector at twenty years of 
age did not understand government and was only a timid 
young gentleman. I see now that you are far wiser and more 
prudent than the old fool Burgsdorf, and that you have learned 
more in your twenty years than will ever penetrate my thick 
skull. You are a great statesman, your highness; on my 
knees I implore your pardon for having doubted you, and 
beseech you, reject me not, sir! Forget the nonsense I gave 
utterance to that time at Berlin, and take the old broadsword 
into your service. It desires nothing better than to be worn 
out in your service, to fly out of its scabbard at your bidding 
and slash away at the enemy.” 

To slash away at the enemy!” repeated the Elector. 

First of all, stand up, old colonel. There,” he continued, 
smiling, holding out his har^ to him, “ I must help you a 
little, for your old limbs have grown stiff in my father’s serv- 
ice. And now, just tell me, old broadsword, what you think 
of it. How will you attack the enemy for me now ? Enemies 
enough we have, indeed, but too few soldiers, I should think, 
to cope with them. Or think you that we could soon set an 
army on foot? Would you go out to battle with your regi- 
ment of two thousand six hundred men, and win back for 
me my contested territories? ” 

I beg your highness not to speak of my two thousand 
six hundred men. You know well that they have long since 
melted away, because there was no money wherewith to pay 
them.” 

Well then,” said the Elector, “ I will gratify you by for- 
getting that splendid regiment, and by no longer reminding 
you of the things that were. But this I tell you, Burgsdorf, 
under my administration everything must correspond, and 
what is noted down on paper must really exist. And now 
we shall see if you are acquainted with our military affairs.” 

^^Alas! most noble sir,” sighed Burgsdorf, would that 
I did not know, for it is a most sorrowful knowledge to an 


354 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


old soldier and in a most distressing condition is the Branden- 
burg military department.’’ 

“ Yes, indeed! ” exclaimed the Elector. The knights 
no longer take horse, the citizens no longer care to defend 
their towns and gates, the States refuse to pay subsidies for 
the support of the army, and our coffers are exhausted. It 
is no wonder if there can be no talk of an army. How much 
infantry and cavalry have we in all, Burgsdorf ? ” 

Most gracious sir,” sighed the colonel, “ in the Mark and 
Prussia together we have not more than twenty companies of 
infantry, allowing a hundred and twenty-five men to each.” 

“ That would make two thousand five hundred men,” said 
the Elector — a small nucleus for an army, truly; but some- 
thing, nevertheless, provided that these men are attached to 
me, and owe fealty to none besides myself.” 

But that is just our misfortune,” said Burgsdorf; these 
men have sworn allegiance not only to you, hut to the Em- 
peror’s Majesty. They were enlisted in the Emperor’s name, 
and carry the imperial banner.” 

Ah! ” cried the Elector, see you know how it is, Con- 
rad von Burgsdorf, and understand the difficulties of the posi- 
tion in which we find ourselves. Yes, the regiments of the 
Elector of Brandenburg have given oath to the Emperor, and 
the Emperor’s banners wave above our forts. All my officers 
serve the Emperor first! Tell me, Burgsdorf, are you your- 
self not in the Emperor’s service? Have you not a regiment 
in the imperial army, although you are governor of Kiistrin, 
and therefore under my command? ” 

That is so,” replied Burgsdorf. I could not refuse the 
imperial regiment because it was such a lucrative post, and 
the governorship paid me hardly anything. The emoluments 
for heading the imperial regiment were more in one year than 
I would have gained in twenty years from my Brandenburg 
post. Necessity drove me to it.” * 

I know that very well,” said the Elector, and I repeat 
that the past shall be forgotten if you promise that in future 
you will be true and loyal to myself alone.” 

* Burgsdorf ’s own words. Vide History of Prussia, by von Orlich, 
vol. ii, p. 890. 


DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS. 


355 


^^Your highness!” shouted Burgsdorf, will he faith- 
ful to you and your government to the end of my life! I re- 
nounce empire and Emperor, and henceforth the Elector of 
Brandenburg is my sole lord and general! Allow me on the 
spot to give into your own hand my oath of ofiS.ce, and swear 
to you eternal fidelity! ” 

Here is my hand,” said the Elector solemnly. Swear 
upon this hand hereafter to become the sword of Branden- 
burg, to serve me faithfully and zealously, and to have no 
other Sovereign than myself! ” 

In God’s name I swear that I will have no other Sover- 
eign, and serve under no other Prince, than yourself alone, 
the Elector of Brandenburg! ” cried Burgsdorf, laying both 
his hands in that of the Elector and pressing it fervently 
to his lips. 

“ And now, having sworn you into my service,” said the 
Elector, in a majestic tone, now I commission you to return 
home to Kiistrin and to administer the oath to all the officers 
and men there. But understand, to me alone, not to the 
Emperor.” 

To you alone, not to the Emperor! ” cried Burgsdorf, 
with animation. 

“ And I further order you to receive no imperial garrison 
into your fortress, for we have a right to exact this, since it 
is clearly stipulated in the peace of Prague that each Prince 
is at liberty to man his fortresses with his own people, which 
clause gives validity to this assertion of right.” * 

Your Electoral Highness! ” cried Burgsdorf, ^^that was 
spoken like a man! Begin the good work in earnest, and 
command the Stadtholder without delay to swear in the other 
governors of your remaining fortresses! ” f 

You are of opinion, then, that this is very necessary, and 
that these gentlemen might refuse to swear allegiance to me 
alone? ” 

Yes, sir, I am strongly of that opinion, and would ven- 
ture to lay a wager that Colonel von Kochow at Spandow, and 
* The Elector’s own words. See Droysen, History of Prussian Poli- 
tics, vol. iii, p. 223. 

f Burgsdorf’s own words. See ibid.^ p. 224. 


356 ; 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Goldacker and Kracht in Berlin, will not take oath to your 
Electoral Highness.” 

Woe to them if they do it not! ” cried the Elector, with 
flashing eyes. I shall prove to them that they must bow in 
obedience to me, and that I recognize no other lord but my^ 
self within the limits of my own dominions. How go back 
to the Mark, Burgsdorf, and do as I have bidden you. You 
may also, as would once have been so pleasant to you, go over 
right often to Berlin. Attend well to all that is going on, 
for it may be that I shall soon have occasion for you there. 
Be on your guard, therefore, colonel, and be pretty cir- 
cumspect in word and deed. Ponder upon the advice 
given you by the little Electoral Prince once: ‘Learn and 
wait.’ ” 

“ Sir, you give me another thrust! ” cried Burgsdorf; 
“ but it does me good, and I am glad of it. Yes, I shall learn 
and w^ait, for I see plainly the last night of the world has not 
come yet, and my dearest master will not always have to act 
so on the defensive as now; when the right time comes, he 
will strike and prove to all his enemies, even the mightiest of 
them, that he is more powerful than they. Mark now, mark 
my words; Schwarzenberg may look out! ” 

“ But meanwhile let Burgsdorf look out! Farewell now, 
Burgsdorf, you have received my orders. Execute them.” 

“ How,” cried the Elector, after the colonel had left the 
room — “ now, my dear Leuchtmar, you know all my views 
and plans. But the most weighty, important, and difficult 
task I have reserved for you.” 

“ I think I know what your highness means,” said Leucht- 
mar, smiling. “ Your precautionary measures have been taken 
in all directions; as early as yesterday your envoys departed 
laden with most submissive messages of respect for the Em- 
peror. Only in one direction have you done nothing, and that 
remains for me. I am to go to Sweden, am I not? ” 

The Elector nodded and smiled. “ It is as you say — ^you 
are to go to Sweden. A great danger threatens my country. 
The Swedes are on the frontiers, or rather within my terri- 
tories, for they hold possession of Pomerania, which is mine. 
They are on the point of invading the Mark, Banner again 


DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS. 


357 


threatens my poor, exhausted lands, and it is said that he has 
already issued orders for the demolishing of Berlin. Schwarz- 
enberg for that very reason had the suburbs of Berlin and 
Cologne burned down, thus laying the city open to assault; 
from Saxony, also, the Swedish general Stallhansch advances 
upon Brandenburg, and all is in a fair way to encircle the 
Mark in the flames of war. But, as you know, I have no money 
and no soldiers, no power and no lands. I can not conduct 
a war! My single purpose must now be, in the first place, to 
withdraw my oppressed land and people from these flames 
of war into lasting repose and a peaceful security, and then 
to govern them well.* I shall send you to Sweden, therefore, 
Leuchtmar, to conclude for me a temporary armistice with 
the Swedes, and also to negotiate the conditions of a peace. 
I must have peace at any price, for on no terms can I carry on 
a war. Chancellor Oxenstiern is indeed a proud and overbear- 
ing man, who will probably make hard conditions, but we 
must accommodate ourselves to them, yield gracefully now, 
and defer our revenge for a later day. Only if he demands 
Pomerania as the price of peace, you may not yield; we will 
indeed be yielding, but not suffer ourselves to be humbled. 
We can grant much, but not allow ourselves to be imposed 
upon in everything. If Oxenstiern desires money and other 
material things, promise them, but land and towns you may 
not give.” 

Not a single title to land or town, your highness! ” cried 
Leuchtmar, for you have said that you would substantiate 
your titles, and give kernels to the empty shells; therefore 
the Swede shall not crack a single one of your nuts.” 

“Not a single one,” repeated the Elector, while he smil- 
ingly extended his hand to his friend. “ And now, one thing 
more, Leuchtmar. Do you remember the plan about which 
my great-uncle Gustavus Adolphus spoke to my mother, when 
he was here on a visit? ” 

“ Yes, indeed,” returned Leuchtmar promptly, “ I remem- 
ber it, and think it were time now to carry it into execution. 
There is one means of uniting Sweden and Brandenburg in 
the bonds of peace, without reducing Brandenburg to humilia- 
* The Elector’s own words. See Droysen, vol. iii, p. 223. 


358 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


tion. Only follow the plan of the great Gustavus Adol- 
phus; you know he destined his daughter Christina for your 
wife.^^ 

Yes,” said the Elector, and a sudden pallor overspread 
his cheeks — yes, he meant his daughter to be my wife. Go, 
Leuchtmar, and woo her, but quite secretly and quietly. As 
I have already told you, my heart is dead, young Frederick 
William no longer desires anything for himself, but the young 
Elector a great deal still, and it is the Elector who offers his 
hand to Queen Christina for the good of his country. I be- 
lieve the little, young Queen interests herself somewhat in 
her cousin Frederick William, at least so my aunt, the wid- 
owed Queen, assured me. I shall intrust to you a letter for 
the young Queen, which you must try to slip into her own 
hand without Oxenstiern knowing anything about it. Go 
now, dear Leuchtmar, and prepare all things for your journey. 
Meanwhile I shall write the letter.” 

^^In one hour, your highness, I shall be ready,” said 
Leuchtmar, withdrawing with a low how. 

The Elector thoughtfully followed him with his eyes. 
" In one hour he will be ready,” he said, and he goes away 
to woo for me a woman’s heart. Oh, Love and Faith, must 
you, too, bow to the great laws which govern the world? 
Must you, too, he laid as sacrifices upon the altar of country? 
Hush, poor heart and murmur not! Sink down into the sea 
of forgetfulness, ye days of the past! A new era dawns upon 
me. I stand before the gates of a great future, and I write 
above these gates, will he a mighty and distinguished 
ruler! ’ That is my future.” 


IV. — Confirmed in Power. 

With triumphant expression of countenance Count Adam 
von Schwarzenberg. walked to and fro in his cabinet. The 
Chamberlain Werner von Schulenburg had just left him, and 
the glad tidings which he had brought from the young Elec- 


CONFIRMED IN POWER. 


359 


tor had banished all doubts, all cares from the Stadtholder’s 
heart. 

I did him injustice/’ he said cheerfully to himself. 

Frederick William was not my enemy, not my opponent! He 
was only the son of his father, and he will now also walk in his 
father’s ways. I therefore remain what I am, remain Stadt- 
holder, the lord of the Mark! And,” he continued, more 
softly, I would have put this arriiable Prince out of the way! 
Who knows whether it would have been for my advantage 
if he had died and my son stepped into his place! My son 
is of my blood — that is to say, he is ambitious and thirsts 
after power and distinction. He would not have left the 
government in my hands, if he could have wrested it 
from me, and perhaps I would not have remained Stadt- 
holder in the Mark had it been in his power to displace 
me! ” 

The count had thrown himself into a fauteuil, and sup- 
ported his head on his hand. The triumphant expression had 
long since faded from his features, which were now grave and 
lined by care. 

It pleases me not,” he murmured, after a long pause — 
“ no, it pleases me not at all that my son associates so con- 
stantly with Goldacker, Kracht, and Eochow at Spandow. 
They are disorderly fellows, who recognize no law or restraint, 
and find their sole pleasure in tumult and strife. It would 
seem fine to them if they could embroil father and son, for 
they would surely fish in the troubled waters, and draw out 
some advantage for themselves, which is ever their only con- 
cern. They exert an evil infiuence over my son, I know that, 
and it would be infinitely better for him to go away from here 

and Ha! a good thought! I shall immediately carry 

it out.” 

He started up and grasped the large gold bell, which had 
been recently presented to him by the Emperor. The clear, 
sonorous tones called a smile to the count’s lips. 

Yes, yes,” he said, the old Elector is dead, and I ring 
the new times in; yet the new era is but a repetition of the 
old, and the end remains ever the same, although the means 
by which we attain it differ. I used to whistle, now I ring. 


360 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


but the object remains identicall}^ the same — to summon serv- 
iceable spirits to my side. 

They do not come, though,” he continued after a long 
pause, in which he had awaited in vain the appearance of a 
lackey. “ No, these, my serviceable spirits come not; they 
incline not to the new order of things, and prefer clinging to 
the old.” 

He took the little golden whistle, lying on the table beside 
the bell, and gave a loud, shrill call with it. Immediately 
the door opened and a lackey appeared. 

“ Why have you kept me waiting? ” asked the count im- 
periously. Did you not hear the bell? ” 

Yes, your excellency,” replied the lackey, with reveren- 
tial mien, “ I heard ringing. It was the beadle, giving notice 
that two women were to be put in the pillory on the fish 
market for committing twenty thefts between them! ” 

Stupid fool! It was I who rang! ” cried the count. 
‘‘ Did I not yesterday notify you through the majordomo that 
I should no longer call you Avith a whistle, but with a bell? ” 

It is true, your excellency, and I beg your pardon for 
forgetting it,” replied the lackey humbly. 

Mark it for all time to come,” commanded the count. 

Go now and tell my son. Count J ohn Adolphus, that I wish 
to speak with him, and request him to come to me.” 

The lackey bowed obsequiously and left the apartment. 
He paused behind the closed door, and with defiant, angry 
countenance, shook his clinched fist. 

You will no longer call us by a whistle,” he muttered 
wrathfully, “ and yet you whistle for your parrot and your 
dogs. But that is quite too good for your servants and lackeys, 
and they must now listen for that sheep bell. Tinkle and 
ring for us, will you, as if you were the beadle and w^e good- 
for-nothing folks to be put in the pillory? Ah me! every 
day the rich and high become more haughty, and the poor 
and lowly must every day put up with more! We had hoped, 
indeed, that other times would come, and that the 3^oung 
Elector would shove that old tyrant of a Stadtholder aside, 
and oust him from his dignities and offices. But Count Adam 
von Schwarzenberg retains his place, and the only change for 


CONFIRMED IN POWER. 


361 


us is that he rings for us instead of whistling as of old. We 
must just submit, and when he rings obey his orders as if he 
whistled.” 

With a deep sigh and melancholy air the lackey now walked 
off to execute his lord’s commands, and summon Count John 
Adolphus to his father. This young gentleman made haste 
to obey the call. 

“ My son,” cried the Stadtholder, himself opening his 
cabinet door, I recognized your step and came to meet 
you.” 

“ You have something very urgent to say to me then, since 
you have so anxiously expected me? ” asked John Adolphus, 
pressing his father’s hand to his lips. 

Yes, much that is urgent,” replied the Stadtholder. 

The young Elector’s envoy has arrived, and brought me a 
first missive from him.” 

Good news? ” asked his son hurriedly. 

“ Yes, good news. The Elector confirms me in all my 
offices and dignities. I remain Stadtholder in the Mark, Di- 
rector of the War Department — ^in short, what I am, whence 
follows as a matter of course that the Elector Frederick re- 
mains what his father was — ^my obedient servant. My son, 
the power has not fallen from my hand, and your heritage 
remains.” 

“ I assure you, my gracious father, I have hut little desire 
to enter upon this heritage of mine,” cried young Count Adol- 
phus, shrugging his shoulders. “ May I long remain what 
I am now, the son of the Stadtholder in the Mark, the coad- 
jutor of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John.” 

“ I thank you, Adolphus, for this Idnd and friendly wish,” 
said Count Adam, giving his hand to his son. “ It proves to 
me that you love your old father, and that delights me. Truly, 
man is a wonderful creature, not being able to live for himself 
alone, but always longing for some sympathetic heart on 
which to lean. I have at last made the discovery that I have 
a heart.” 

“ And I,” said Count Adolphus, laughing — “ I have just 
discovered that I no longer have a heart.” 

“ Or rather, you are sick at heart, are you not? ” inquired 


362 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


his father quickly. “ My son, you have avoided me of late 
— you have turned from me, you no longer confide in me.” 

I have nothing to confide, most revered sir,” replied 
Count Adolphus, smiling. ‘‘I lead a merry, harmless life, 
and care for nothing.” 

“ For nothing? ” repeated the count. Not even for the 
Princess Charlotte Louise? ” 

Count Adolphus slightly shuddered, and his cheeks paled 
a little, but he carelessly shook his head, and continued to 
smile. 

‘‘ My son,” continued his father, ‘‘ I ask you to-day, as I 
did two years ago, on what terms are you with the Princess 
Charlotte Louise? During all this time you have invariably 
eluded my efforts to converse on the subject. I indulged you, 
for I know my prudent, cautious son, and waited for him to 
give me his confidence voluntarily. Hitherto, however, 1 have 
but waited in vain, so that I am compelled to take the initi- 
ative, and sue for your confidence. Give it to me, Adolphus, 
tell me whether you love the Princess Charlotte Louise.” 

‘‘Wherefore?” asked Count Adolphus. “How would it 
profit you?” 

“ Me? Not at all, but perhaps it may profit you to tell 
me the truth. The lofty hopes we once indulged in have come 
to naught, destiny has not willed their fruition. AVe have 
been disappointed in our hope of seeing George William’s 
daughter become his heiress, and exalt her husband into an 
Elector of Brandenburg. Frederick William is Elector, he 
has entered upon his father’s estates to their full extent. But 
the Pi’incess Charlotte Louise is still unmarried, and has re- 
mained so because she loves you and is waiting for you.” 

“ She has made me wait,” cried the young count, with a 
sudden outburst of passion. “ She kept me standing and 
waiting two hours before a locked door, and never, while I 
live, never, shall I forget the shame, the torture, and degrada- 
tion of those two hours of vain ^^ectation. Oh, father, see 
what power you have over me! I move then that no human 
being should ever hear of the insult put upon me by that 
haughty Prince’s daughter, and yet I am confessing it to you 
now. Pity me not, say nothing, nothing at all, for each word 


CONFIRMED IN POWER. 


3C3 


but aggravates my pain and makes my heart swell with in- 
dignation and grief. Oh, 1 loved her, trusted her, 1 dreamed 
of a proud and brilliant future, whicdi 1 should owe to her! 
And she played her part in such masterly style, her counte- 
nance wearing a look of such innocence and candor! 0 
father! I loved her, and I, the experienced man of the world, 
allowed myself to be deceived by that young girl, who knew 
nothing of the world, and was yet such an accomplished hypo- 
crite! 1 hink not that I was a mere idle coxcomb, arrogantly 
basing his expectations upon his wishes. No, she deceived 
me, she disappointed me! You should have seen her at that 
fHe which you gave to the b:iectoral Prince. JJow tenderly 
she leaned upon my arm, as we walked through the green- 
house, with what glowing cheeks, with what a blissful smile 
did she listen to my protestations of love, with what amiable 
basbfulness did she respond to them! She even anticipated 
my boldest hopes and desires, and when I ventured to ask for 
a rendezvous, not only consented to it, but gave me a proof 
that she would have granted it without waiting for me to 
seek one. There, in the greenhouse, she prc»ssed a little note 
into my hand, which stated clearly and distinctly that she 
appointed ten o’clock of the following evening for a rendez- 
vous with me at the castle. And yet all was falsehood and 
deceit — ^all only invented for the purpose of punishing the 
presumptuous fool who had dared to lift his eyes to the proud 
Princess! Oh, how she laughed perhaps, and mocked me with 
her sister, mother, and brother, while I stood below before 
the locked door and waited, finally being obliged to slink 
away, burying my rage and despair in my heart! I fancy her 
spying from a neighboring window, watching me, and enjoy- 
ing my confusion as I stood there knocking at a bolted door, 
having at last to go off silent and bowed down. It makes me 
furious to think of this, and yet continually the idea haunts 
me, leaving me no rest, until the remembrance of these two 
dreadful hours becomes alMlute torture. O father! why have 
you wrenched this secret fWnn my heart? — why have you per- 
suaded me to tell you, what I have not even revealed to my 
father confessor?,” 

I am glad, my son, that I have succeeded in opening this 
24 


364 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


secret/’ said the count quietly. say opening, for like a 
festering sore it has rankled in your bosom, and believe me, 
Adolphus, since it has been opened, you will experience relief 
and your heart will heal. It has befallen many another man 
to be caught in the snares of a coquette, and to have a few 
costly illusions dispelled. But consider, my son, each illusion 
lost is an experience gained, and experience is cheaply bought 
with the dreams of the heart. Experience, you know, brings 
knowledge of the world, and knowledge of the world forms 
the diplomatist and statesman. You are already, my son, no 
despicable statesman, and you will some day play a great game, 
even though you are not the Electoral Princess’s husband. 
For the rest I can give you one comforting assurance, and re- 
lieve your mind of an oppressive consciousness. In order to 
do this I have allowed you to vent your rage, and listened with 
attentive ear to your passionate complaints. My consolation 
is this: you have never loved the Princess Charlotte Louise 
— that is to say, never loved her with your heart, hut only 
with your vanity and ambition. It was very flattering to you 
to be loved by a Princess, and ambition whispered to you 
that through your wife you might become reigning Elector, 
if the Electoral Prince were only put out of the way by fate 
or some other obliging hand. There was surely some pros- 
pect of this, and you know how exultingly we both looked 
forward to such a future. But we made shipwreck of those 
plans, and now it is too late to build them anew. However, 
let us not mourn over the past, but forget it. This hour has 
witnessed your last lament over your dead past. Its knell has 
been rung, let us both now doom it to oblivion. I have re- 
tained one thing in my memory, however, and that is the note 
which the incautious Princess gave you that evening in the 
greenhouse. Do you still possess it ? ” 

Yes, I still possess it, and as often as I look at it my 
heart is like to hurst with indignation and wrath! ” 

On the contrary, Adolphus, you ought to rejoice when- 
ever you look at it, for you can turn this little note into a 
formidable weapon against the Electoral house. With this 
note you can some day force the young Elector to make you 
my successor, confirm you in the rank of Grand Master of 


CONFIRMED IN POWER. 


365 


the Knights of St. John, or even, if you still wish it, make 
you the husband of his sister Charlotte Louise. Ah! my son, 
a note in which the Elector’s sister invites you to a rendezvous 
by night is worth more to you, indeed, than if you could go 
out against your enemy with an army, for an army might he 
vanquished, hut in this lillet-doux of the Princess each stroke 
of her hand becomes a soldier fighting with invincible armor.” 

“ You are right, most gracious father,” said Count Adol- 
phus, with a sinister expression of face. “ The day may come 
when I shall march out these soldiers against the faithless 
Princess and her whole house! I hate her, I hate them all, 
and my whole heart longs for revenge, and ” 

Your excellency,” said a chamberlain, approaching hasti- 
ly — your excellency, a courier from Kdnigsberg has just 
arrived, and is the bearer of this dispatch from the Elector.” 

The Stadtholder took the proffered packet, and by a hur- 
ried sign dismissed the chamberlain. 

A courier from Kdnigsberg,” he said, with a slight shak- 
ing of the head, as he examined the great sealed envelope 
which he held in his hand. A writing from the Electoral 
Government Office, when Schulenburg was Just with me this 
very day, the bearer of verbal communications! I do not 
understand it! ” 

The best plan would he, most revered father, to open 
the letter! ” cried Count Adolphus briskly. ‘‘ You will then 
see what news it contains.” 

The Stadtholder made no answer, hut tore off the cover 
and drew forth the inner paper. Slowly he unfolded this, and 
read. 

His son had involuntarily advanced a few steps nearer, 
and watched his father’s countenance with the impatience of 
suspense. He saw him turn pale, his brow darken, and his 
lips become firmly compressed. 

The letter contains had news?” he said breathlessly. 

Kot merely had hut astonishing news,” replied the count, 
with forced composure. The Elector here makes several 
requirements of me, and not directly, hut through his private 
secretary Gotz.” 

^^What presumption!” exclaimed his son passionately. 


366 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


How can that little Elector dare to forward a writ of chan- 
cery to you, the mighty and influential Stadtholder in the 
Mark, instead of addressing his desires and requests to you 
privately in his own handwriting? 

‘^It shows at all events a little negligence and want of 
formality,” replied his father thoughtfully, “although the 
Elector may certainly plead as his excuse the many claims upon 
his time. For the same reason he only gave Schulenhurg 
verbal messages for me.” 

“ And may I ask what the Elector demands of your grace? 
Or is this an indiscretion on my part? ” 

“ No, my son, you shall learn it. In the first place, the 
Elector requires me to send unopened to him at Konigsherg 
all letters arriving here addressed to him, and not to open 
and answer them in his name as hitherto. The Elector fur- 
ther desires me to conclude no act of government without 
having previously called together the privy council. In the 
third place, the Elector directs me forthwith to require of all 
the governors and officers of the forts an oath of allegiance 
to himself. He lastly asks, if I can make it convenient to come 
to Prussia, that we may confer together, and that he may 
have the benefit of my aid and advice.” 

“ And what answer will your grace return to these de- 
mands? ” 

“ As regards the first requirement, I shall reply that the 
Elector’s will is law, and that all writings shall be henceforth 
forwarded to him unopened. As to the second demand, I 
shall represent that it is now simply impossible to gratify, 
since only a single member of the old privy council is yet 
alive. As to binding the officers ^nd commandants by oath 
to their duty,” continued the count slowly, “ I shall hut re- 
quire a token of their disposition to fulfill existing engage- 
ments. And lastly, as the Elector wishes it, I can hardly re- 
fuse him my advice; so that I will go to him in Prussia.” 

“ No,” cried Count Adolphus impatiently, “ no, father, 
you shall not. You shall not accept this artfully contrived in- 
vitation. You dare not go to Prussia. My God, sir, are your 
usually keen and penetrating eyes so blinded that they can 
not see what is so very palpable? Do you really not perceive 


CONFIRMED IN POWER. 


367 


that the Elector only wants to entice you away, in order to 
get you in his power, in order noiselessly and quietly to put 
you out of the way? Ostensibly you are to go to Kdnigsberg 
to advise the young, inexperienced Elector. That is the pre- 
text, the sand which they would scatter in the eyes of your- 
self, your friends, the Emperor, yea, all Germany, so that no 
one can see what is going on, or by any possibility guess what 
will happen. You may set out for Konigsberg, but you will 
never get there; you will meet with an accident on the way 
— either your carriage will be overset and you fatally injured, 
or robbers fall upon you in the woods and murder you. How- 
ever it may be, only as a dead man will you arrive at Kdnigs- 
berg, and the Elector will have nothing further to do than 
to decree your magnificent obsequies! ’’ 

^^Ah, my son!” cried the Stadtholder, smiling, ^^you go 
too far. Never will the Elector resort to such expedients. He 
is too pious and good a Christian for that! ” 

Father, are not you, too, a good, pious Christian, and 

yet Believe me, the Elector has forgotten nothing. He 

remembers the man found under his bed once, with a murder- 
ous weapon in his hand and much gold in his pocket. He 
remembers the sickness which so suddenly seized him two 
years ago at the banquet which you had prepared for him. 
Then you invited him, now he invites you, and if sickness seizes 
you, you will probably not have the good fortune to recover 
as he did.” 

That is true; my God! he may be right,” muttered the 
count, turning pale. It may be that they suspect me; they 
may have told him I meant to poison him at that banquet, 
I have proofs of it which make it seem probable, and that 

woman Hush, hush! nothing of that — that has no place 

here! But I believe myself that you are right, and will there- 
fore ignore the Elector’s invitation.” 

God be praised, father, that you have taken this resolu- 
tion! ” cried the young count joyfully. ^^Now at last the 
crisis is upon us — open enmity and a rupture, regardless of 
consequences! Waver and hesitate no more. The Elector 
would ruin you; you must ruin him. Nay, look not so amazed 
and shocked, father! I have long foreseen this moment, and 


368 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


have prepared : every thing for . meeting the emergency with 
dignity. As soon as the first news of the Elector George Wil- 
liam’s death reached here, I gathered about me my friends 
and yours, and held a long consultation with them, which 
satisfied me of their fidelity and devotion. Oh, most gracious 
sir, you have indeed no reason to bewail your lot, for you have 
many and reliable friends, who are ready for your sake to con- 
front the most imminent dangers, to undertake what is most 
difficult and hazardous! All of our friends were convinced 
with me that the Electoral Prince is your implacable enemy, 
and that he only watches for an opportunity to accomplish 
your ruin. In spite of his few years, however, he is much too 
wise and cautious a man to attempt to act against you with 
open, swift determination. He knows the Emperor loves you, 
and that he would regard each act of enmity against you as 
directed against himself. Therefore he would quietly remove 
and undo you. Here, in the midst of your faithful friends, 
surrounded by soldiers and officers who have taken an oath 
of fidelity to you and the Emperor, in the midst of your ad^ 
herents and retainers, the Elector would not dare to arrest 
and accuse you. He begins much more prudently, much more 
circumspectly! In' the first place, you are to swear the gov- 
ernors and officers into the Elector’s service. That is to say, 
in other words, they are no longer to recognize the Emperor 
as lord paramount or you as the Elector’s representative, but 
their oath is to bind them to the Elector alone, and only on 
his will are they to he dependent. After having accomplished 
all this, you are to proceed to Prussia, where no one defends 
you, where your friends can not rally around you, where you 
will vanish, uncared for and unwept. No, my lord and father, 
you must not go to Prussia, or if you do, not until you have 
assembled around you your loyal subjects, when, at the head 
of your regiments, you go forth to meet the Elector as his 
powerful and determined foe, not as his servant.” 

‘^What do you say, my son?” asked the Stadtholder, 
shocked. 

I say, father, that your friends and I have been secretly 
active, that we have prepared to defend you in case the Elec- 
lor threatens you. Throughout the whole Mark your friends 


CONFIRMED IN POWER. 


369 


are ready to make open opposition to the Elector, and firmly 
determined to protect yon and their own rights and privileges 
sword in hand. Only carry out Frederick William’s order, 
summon the commandants of the forts here to Berlin, and 
demand of them their oath of allegiance to the Elector. This 
they will refuse. All, with the exception of Burgsdorf of Kiis- 
trin and Trotha of Peitz, will declare that they have already 
given in their oath to the Emperor, and can not conscientiously 
take any other. The colonels of the regiments will say the 
same, especially Goldacker, the boldest, bravest of them all. 
They will keep faith with the Emperor, and therefore the 
Elector of Brandenburg is not their commander in chief. You, 
who administered the imperial oath, they will obey in the 
Emperor’s name, they will follow whithersoever you lead.” 

But whither can I lead them? ” asked the Stadtholder. 

“ To battle against the little Elector of Brandenburg, who 
would revolt against his lord the Emperor; to battle against 
the heretical vassal of the Emperor, who threatens the Ger- 
man Empire and the Church, who would break loose from 
Emperor and empire, who threatens all creeds, making every 
effort to strengthen and aggrandize the reformed party. Oh, 
believe me, not merely good Catholics, hut the Evangelical 
and Lutheran sects, will obey this call, and burn with enmity 
and wrath against the rash little Elector. We have spread 
our net, and its. meshes are entangling him, even there in Prus- 
sia, where he thinks himself quite safe and secure. True 
friends and trusty messengers have been sent by Goldacker 
and myself to Prussia, to concert measures there with your 
adherents, and to rouse them to strong, energetic action. 
Sebastian von Waldow, superintendent of the palace and cap- 
tain of Ruppin, assembles your friends together in perfect se- 
crecy, and I daily expect from him exact accounts as to the 
success of his operations. In Kdnigsherg itself we now have 
a powerful and efficient friend, who co-operates with us and 
is like-minded with ourselves. It is the ambassador whom 
the Emperor has sent to condole with the Elector. He is my 
best, most confidential friend. Count von Martinitz. He is 
acquainted with all my plans, he is the confidant of all my 
hopes and views, and will second them with all his might. 


370 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


This ambitious, heretical little Elector shall not rise, shall not 
arrive at power and distinction! That is not only the view 
the Emperor takes of it, but all German princes. The Elector 
of Brandenburg is a source of terror and embarrassment to 
them all. He threatens Saxony, he threatens Brunswick and 
Hesse; of all he claims land and property now in their pos- 
session. He has no friends, adherents, nor allies, this little 
Elector Frederick William. Holland will not side with him, 
because it will not relinquish Julich and Cleves, Sweden con- 
tends with him for Pomerania, and Poland about the investi- 
ture. He has only enemies and accusers! If, then, we attack 
him, he is lost! No hand will be lifted in his defense, no arm 
outstretched to save him. The Emperor will grant us his 
support and countenance, and all German princes will secretly 
rejoice that so dangerous a rival has been happily removed. 
0 father! you see I have not abandoned hope of becoming 
some day Elector of Brandenburg! Only, I shall not be in- 
debted for it to the Princess Charlotte Louise, but to you. I 
shall inherit the dignity as my father’s son! And this shall 
be my revenge upon the faithless, treacherous Princess! I 
will ruin her and her whole house; I will put my father in 
her brother’s place; I will one day enter as master the palace 
before whose closed portals they once insolently kept me two 
hours waiting. I swore that night to be revenged for that 
insult, and now the moment has come. Father, the fruit of 
revenge is ripe, and you must pluck it! ” 

Yes, that I will,” cried the Stadtholder, with animation. 
“ Oh, my son, a great, immeasurable joy fills my soul at this 
hour; and, first of all, let me beg your pardon for having en- 
tertained a horrible suspicion with regard to you which has 
lately forced itself upon me. I mistrusted you, seeing your 
activity, your strange confidential transactions with the com- 
mandants and officers; I felt that you were on the eve of some 
great undertaking, and suspected that in you I had a rival, 
and that you wished to supplant me! Forgive me, my son, 
forgive me in consideration of the misery my suspicions caused 
me! ” 

I have nothing to forgive, father,” said Count Adolphus 
coldly. It is so natural for those incapable of love to sup- 


CONFIRMED IN POWER. 


8Y1 


pose that others are only moved by selfish ends! You, father, 
love nothing on earth hut your own ambition and fame, and so 
fancied that it was the same with me, and that ambition could 
make the son a traitor to his own father! 

“ My Adolphus! cried the Stadtholder, I have already 
told you, and repeat again, that I feel I have a heart. I felt 
it in the pain which I experienced when I doubted you; I 
feel it now in the rapture which thrills me in beholding you 
act so boldly and courageously in behalf of your father. Give 
me your hand, Adolphus, and — if you do not disdain such a 
thing — embrace me, and kiss your old father.” 

He held out his arms, and his son threw himself on his 
breast and imprinted a long, fervent kiss upon his lips. Long 
did Count Schwarzenherg clasp him to his heart, then took 
the young man’s head between both his hands and looked at 
him with loving, tender glances. Finally, with a singular 
expression of embarrassment, he bent down and kissed his 
eyes. 

My son,” he said softly and quickly, I love you. Yours 
are the first eyes that I have ever kissed, and this kiss of your 
father’s unpolluted lips should he to you a life-long blessing. 
And now to work, now for action, and bold adventurous deeds! 
Oh, of late how weak and worn out I have felt myself to he, 
and longed to withdraw into solitude and retirement, to rest 
from all labor! I believed it was old age creeping upon me, 
and by its abominable touch unnerving my arm and crippling 
my activity. But now I feel that it was only secret grief about 
you which thus enfeebled me and robbed my arm of vigor. 
Now I am quite well again and strong; now I will dare every- 
thing that you have so prudently and wisely planned. Yes, 
yes, once more I am Schwarzenherg, the Stadtholder in the 
Mark, and I shall not allow myself to he imposed upon; I shall 
do battle with this little Frederick William, who ventures to 
defy and threaten me. He opposes the Emperor, he would 
he an independent Sovereign, while he is only the Emperor’s 
vassal. For this he shall be punished. It will not he our 
fault if this hurls him from his little throne, and how could we 
be blamed, should the Emperor bestow the margraviate of 
Brandenburg upon Prince Schwarzenherg, as he did the mar- 


372 


TH,E HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


graviate of Jagerndorf upon Prince Lobkowitz ? To work, 
my son, to work! Oh, now again my eyes see clearly — now 
again my head conceives fixed and energetic thoughts. My 
son, we two combined will surely be equal to the execution 
of our exalted schemes. We two combined will ruin the 
Elector.” 

And put you in his place,” cried the young count. 

“ I must go before, that you may be my successor, and that 
our house stand firm and strong, and not be inferior to that 
of Lobkowitz or Fiirstenberg. Already it is clearly defined 
in my mind what we shall have to do. In the first place, we 
must render the Elector odious to all parties, making it evi- 
dent to each that he is a dangerous foe to all, who would en- 
rich himself at his neighbors’ expense, and would arrive at 
honor and power by weakening and degrading others. We 
have only to say to the Emperor that he is his opponent, and 
seeks to release his officers from the oath they have taken. 
Ferdinand is passionate and jealous of his prerogatives, and 
will crush his rebellious vassal. To the Lutherans and their 
favorers we will have it whispered by our friends that the 
Elector, as a rigid Calvinist, threatens their faith, and proposes 
to restrict the privileges of their country churches and to de- 
prive of their offices all those who will not confess the Cal- 
vinistic creed. The Lutherans are a hard-headed and fanatical 
sect. He who menaces their faith is their arch-enemy, and 
they will be ready to fight against him with fire and sword. 
The soldiers, you know, are always ready to follow him who 
pays them best, and as regards their officers, thanks to you, 
my son, we are sure of them. Let us now adopt a fixed plan 
for hastening the crisis.” 

I am only waiting for the return of the messenger whom 
I sent to Sebastian von Waldow. He will bring us reliable 
information as to the progress of organization among your ad- 
herents in Prussia, for Waldow has gone himself to Kdnigs- 
berg to hold a consultation with Count Martinitz, and to con- 
cert with our loyal friends a fixed plan of operations.” 

We shall be obliged to go very slowly and cautiously to 
work,” said Count Adam thoughtfully. We must first se- 
cure ourselves on all sides, and be sure of the result before we 


CONFIRMED IN POWER. 


373 


venture to assume the offensive. The most important thing 
now is to assure ourselves of the Emperor’s favor and approval. 
You, my son, must repair forthwith to Regensburg, where the 
Emperor is at present. You will inform him that I have ob- 
tained orders from the Elector to release the troops from their 
oath to the Emperor, and to swear them into the Elector’s serv- 
ice alone. You will say to his Majesty that I have declined 
to yield to this order, and in the oath administered to the 
officers have made their allegiance to the Elector quite sec- 
ondary to their obligations to himself. You will further notify 
the Emperor that the soldiers’ pay has been in arrears for a 
month, because all our coffers are empty. Therefore ask, in 
my name, if it would not perhaps he advisable, if we come to 
extremities, to take the Brandenburg troops into the Emperor’s 
pay, to give them rations in the Emperor’s name, and renew 
their oath to his Imperial Majesty. To effect this, we have 
only to stimulate a little the discontent of the troops. They 
are already tolerably desperate because they have not received 
their wages. If the Elector does not speedily pay off the 
troops, the desperation will reach its height, and a revolt break 
forth spontaneously.” 

Thence it follows, most gracious sir, that they will be- 
come as wax to be molded at your will.” 

You are right, my son; we must manage to retain au- 
thority over friend and foe. The troops here are a wild, law- 
less horde, knowing little of discipline and order, and hearing 
much closer resemblance to a robber hand than a princely 
army. We must aim at having disciplined troops at hand, 
such as are accustomed to obedience, and to this end must 
introduce imperial troops into the Mark. Nothing further is 
necessary for this than to begin hostilities against the Swedes 
with renewed activity, drawing them down upon Berlin. It 
will then seem quite natural, considering the weakness of the 
forces here, to invite the aid of the 'Emperor and his troops 
in defending Berlin and protecting ourselves against the 
Swedes, but in truth to help us in this great movement against 
the seditious Elector, who would revolt against Emperor and 
empire. 

I commission you, my son, to unravel this whole scheme 


374 : 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


to the Emperor, and to petition him for his countenance. 
For, without the imperial approbation and without an assur- 
ance of success, we dare not proceed further in this dangerous 
undertaking. We must have some security, too, that the 
Emperor’s Majesty will proportionately reward us if we gain 
the Mark for him, and rid him of that mutinous, heretical 
Elector.” 

I shall above all things seek to come to an understand- 
ing with Father Silvio, and impress upon the Emperor’s pious, 
zealous father confessor the extent of glory and blessing to 
be acquired in behalf of the Church and holy faith by wrest- 
ing the Mark out of the hands of a heretic, and bestowing it 
upon a believing, true Catholic, such as the Stadtholder in 
the Mark. The father has the Emperor’s ear, and, I believe, 
is favorably disposed toward me. I shall use every means for 
enlisting his favor, and it would be well to have some funds 
at my disposal for this purpose. Father Silvio, noble and 
pious though he be, loves money, and is not inaccessible to 
jewels and valuable gifts. He has in his apartments at Vienna 
costly collections of precious stones and rare gold and silver 
plate, and it affords him high gratification to add a few valu- 
able pieces to them.” 

‘‘ We will take care of that,” said Count Adam, smiling. 

Choose out of our casket of gems a few things worthy the 
pious father’s acceptance, and for money you can draw upon 
the bankers Fugger of Nuremberg. I recently deposited with 
them considerable sums, in case of emergency. They are 
safer there than here in this starved-out Mark, among the 
desperadoes of Berlin and Cologne, who have no affection 
for me, and perhaps some day may take it into their heads 
to demand relief from me for their poverty and want, and plun- 
der me to enrich themselves. Among such a gaunt, hungry 
populace we must be prepared for everything, and it is wise to 
be insured against mishaps. In these present evil days, how- 
ever, nothing but money can raise an army, and only he who 
has money can aspire to being a general.” 

The little Elector of Brandenburg has no money! ” cried 
Count Adolphus, ^^for which God be praised! He, therefore, 
can be no general. His troops and his land belong to us, and. 


CONFIRMED IN POWER. 


375 


like the Margrave of Jagemdorf and tlje Elector of the Pa- 
latinate, the deposed Elector of Brandenburg may soon be a 
wanderer in foreign lands, exposing his humiliation to the 
whole German Empire. Nowhere will he find compassion, 
nowhere sympathy, for he is a dangerous foe to all, and all 
will profit by his fall. Dear, honored father, let me depart 
this very hour for Regensburg, in order to obtain the Em- 
peror^s approval of our weighty plans, and to return to you 
the earlier with plenipotentiary powers.” 

You are right, Adolphus, haste makes speed, and we must 
strike while the iron is hot. Set off, my son, this very hour 
if you choose. It will not be necessary for me to write to the 
Emperor by you. You know perfectly how to interpret my 
thoughts, and your spoken word is better than my written 
one. God speed you, then, my son, I shall expect daily dis- 
patches from you, acquainting me with the progress of your 
negotiations.” 

I shall write, father, and make use of the ciphers agreed 
upon between us. You have preserved the key, have you 
not? ” 

I have preserved it in my head,” replied the count, 
pointing to his forehead. Important secrets should never be 
committed to paper, and I say with Charles V, ‘If one 
carries a great secret in his head, he should bum his very 
nightcap, that it naay not betray hinL’ Tmly may it be said 
of us two that we carry an important sec-ret in our heads. 
Instead of a nightcap I have burned the cipher key, that it 
may not one day betray us! ” 

“ But the great secret will one day surprise the world,” 
cried Count Adolphus joyfully; “ its tmmpet peals will one 
day startle the whole of Germany. From the palace balcony 
here in Berlin shall its triumphant flourishes ring forth. The 
people in the streets will hear them in astonishment, and to 
me they will sound as the rejoicing songs of the heavenly 
hosts, and enraptured I shall look up to my father, standing 
there majestic in the pomp of his princely power. If I may 
then fall at your feet, all the ambitious dreams and a‘q)ira- 
tions of my heart will be fulfilled, and all within me will re- 
joice and shout, ‘ Health and blessings upon Prince Schwarz- 


376 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


enberg, Margrave of, Brandenburg! ’ Farewell now, dear 
father! I hurry away, the earlier to return to you! ” 


V. — The Catastrophe. 

Their plans matured, and every day approached nearer 
to completion, while with firm hand Count Adam Schwarzen- 
berg held the reins which guided the great machinery of in- 
surrection. He had sent Colonel Goldacker with his regi- 
ment to Mecklenburg to draw out the Swedes, and to pro- 
voke them to advance upon the Mark. The Swedes took up 
the gauntlet thrown down to them, and, while they were op- 
posed to Goldacker in Mecklenburg, other Swedish regiments 
marched from Lausitz against Berlin. This was exactly what 
the Stadtholder wished, and once more the devoted Mark saw 
the flames of war burst forth, in order that Schwarzenberg' 
might have an excuse for summoning Saxon troops to his aid. 
To-day these troops had reached Berlin, and the Stadtholder 
wished to celebrate their arrival by a sumptuous fUe in his 
palace. To this entertainment he had bidden Colonel Gold- 
acker from Mecklenburg; the commandants of Spandow 
and Berlin, with their officers, were also invited, and already, 
in the early morning, they were preparing the table in the 
great hall for the magnificent collation to be served at noon. 

Meanwhile lamentation and mourning reigned in the cities^ 
of Berlin and Cologne, while life went so merrily in the 
Schwarzenberg palace. The wild hordes of soldiers made the 
streets unsafe even in the daytime. Drunken they roved 
through the city, with the greatest tumult and uproar; they 
broke into the houses of peaceful citizens to plunder and rob, 
and wherever anything was refused them, they committed the 
most wanton acts, laughing and singing over the tortures they 
inflicted. In vain had the burghers applied to the officers of 
these ungovernable outlaws and besought them to restrain the 
soldiery from outrages, to confine them to their quarters, and to 
punish them for their thefts and robberies. The officers de- 


THE CATASTROPHE. 


377 


dared that there was no means of enforcing so rigid a disci- 
pline, and that in times of war some allowance should be made 
for soldiers who. with their own bodies protected the burghers 
from their foes. 

But the poor, tormented burghers did not want war; they 
wanted peace! Peace at any price. The States, too, who held 
their session in Berlin, wanted peace, and to this end had sent 
out a deputation from their midst to the Elector at Konigs- 
herg to implore him to pity their distress and to command 
the Stadtholder in the Mark to abstain from hostilities against 
the Swedes. 

The same suit the citizens desired to present to the Stadt- 
holder, and to-day, while preparations were in progress for a 
military entertainment in the Schwarzenherg palace, a solemn 
deputation of the magistracy and citizenship repaired to the 
same spot to lay before the Stadtholder their wishes and en- 
treaties. Count Schwarzenherg kept them waiting a long 
while in his antechamber, and when he finally made his appear- 
ance his countenance was proud and haughty, and his eyes 
shot angry glances upon the poor representatives of the 
burghers, who stood with deprecating humility before him. 

“ What would you have of me, sirs? ” he cried, in a rough 
voice. “ What have you to say to me? ” 

Most gracious sir,” replied the burgomaster of Berlin, 
we come to entreat the aid and assistance of your excellency 
in behalf of our afflicted cities. We are exhausted, hungry, 
plundered, driven to despair. We can no longer bear the 
frightful burden of war. Have compassion upon our afflic- 
tion; make peace with the Swede, that he may not advance 
upon Berlin, that we may not he forced to appeal to foreigners 
for our defense.” 

Make peace! ” cried the burghers, stretching out their 
hands imploringly toward the Stadtholder, their eyes filled 
with tears. 0 sir! we have borne sorrow and wretchedness 
for so many long, bitter years! Our hearts are crushed and 
desperate! Our souls are faint! Make peace, that we may 
see some end to our trials! We have no nourishment, no 
money, not even a shelter for our heads. The Swedes plun- 
dered us; the Imperialists took from us what the Swedes left;. 


37S 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


and now our own soldiers drive us out of our bare and empty 
dwellings, make sport of our calamities, mock the burghers, 
insult our wives and daughters, and quarter themselves in 
our houses, while we wander homeless about the streets, not 
even being able to procure shelter in our churches because the 
cavalry have taken possession of these with their horses, and 
converted the temples of God into filthy barracks! Make 
peace. Sir Stadtholder, make peace! \ 

I have not power to do so,” replied Count Schwarzen- 
berg haughtily, “ neither the power nor the will! The Swede 
is the enemy of our country, and we must resist him with all 
the means at our command. Cease your howling and shriek- 
ing, for it will be but in vain. War is upon us, and we can not 
as cowards retreat before it. Shame upon you for your pusil- 
lanimity and cowardice, since your men are still capable of 
bearing arms! ” 

‘‘ Sir, our men have no more strength for fighting. Our 
hands are too weak to hold a weapon.” 

Oh, you will he forced to handle them! ” cried Schwarz- 
enberg, laughing scornfully. “ When your houses are on fire, 
and you see your wives and children dragged off by soldiers, 
then these cowards will be turned into valiant warriors, who 
can at least defend their lives and the honor of their families! 
I tell you, though, it will come to that. Extremity is before 
you, and calls for terrible resolutions.” * 

The burghers broke into loud lamentations, a few threw 
themselves on their knees, others wept and wailed, while the 
lords of the magistracy approached nearer to the count in 
order to make confidential representations of the utter hope- 
lessness and despondency of the two unhappy cities of Berlin 
and Cologne. 

Schwarzenberg, however, turned away from these repre- 
sentations with stern composure. I have not peace but war 
in hand,” he said. Why do you apply to me now when you 
think, nevertheless, that you can receive no good save from 
the Elector himself, who is your guardian angel, while I am 
the destro 3 dng one. Wait and see what news the deputation 

* Schwarzenberg’s own words. See Droysen, History of Prussian 
Politics. 


THE CATASTROPHE. 


379 


of the States will bring you from Kbnigsberg. You besought 
the States in your time of trouble to appeal to the Elector 
himself. Well, be patient and await their return. However, 
I can tell you beforehand that they will bring you a refusal, 
for the Elector wishes war, and has given me orders to that 
effect. He has confirmed me in all my offices and dignities. 
He has most condescendingly assured me of his unlimited con- 
fidence, and empowered me to act according to my own un- 
biased judgment, and to guide the reins of government as I 
shall choose. I hold them tight, and shall not be turned out 
of my way by your whining and complaining. War is upon 
us, and should I have to lay Berlin in ashes to avoid giving 
a shelter and asylum to the Swedes, it shall be done, rather 
than conclude peace with them, yield to their degrading con- 
ditions, and give up Pomerania to them! I therefore advise 
you to be on good terms with the soldiers, to receive them 
kindly into your houses, to entertain them well ” 

“ Sir,” interrupted the first burgomaster, with a bitter cry 
of distress — sir, we have nothing with which we could enter- 
tain them, we 

Silence! ” called out the Stadtholder, in a thundering 
voice — silence! I have heard you out, and it is my turn now 
to speak, and yours to listen silently. Go and take your meas- 
ures accordingly, and act as becomes obedient subjects.” 

He turned upon his heel and with proud bearing re-entered 
his cabinet, while the burghers sorrowfully slunk away, to 
spread throughout all Berlin the dreadful news that all their 
entreaties had been in vain, and that the war was to be pro- 
longed. 

Yes, the war is to be prolonged,” repeated Count 
Schwarzenberg, when he again found himself alone in his 
cabinet. We approach the denouement, and if I could only 
get decisive tidings from my son, I would hurry on a crisis and 
begin open war. He keeps me waiting for such tidings a very 
long while,” continued the count, dropping into the armchair 
in front of his writing table. He has only written once to 
me from Regensburg, and then he could only inform me that 

he had commenced operations, and Ah! ” he interrupted 

himself, as his glance fell upon his table, there are papers 
25 


380 


THE . HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


and dispatches, which must have come in my absence. Per- 
haps there is among them a letter from my son.’’ 

He hastily snatched up the letters and examined one after 
another. No, there was no letter from his son, only official 
documents from the Elector’s cabinet. 

He opened the first of these, and a shudder ran through 
his whole frame as he read. In this paper the Elector com- 
manded the Stadtholder in the Mark to send back to him the 
blank charters, intrusted to him by the Elector George Wil- 
liam on his departure for Kdnigsberg; he must, moreover, 
render a distinct and exact account of the manner in which 
he had disposed of the charters no longer in existence. He, 
Schwarzenberg, the mighty Stadtholder in the Mark, the 
Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, the Director of 
the War Department — he, to be called to account as a servant 
by his master! He was expected to answer for what he had 
done in the plenitude of his power, and — worse than that — 
he must suffer that power to be limited! He would do noth- 
ing of the sort; he would not give up the blank charters not 
yet appropriated and send them back to the Elector! 

That was to curtail the privileges of his high position, to 
dethrone him, and, after having been an absolute master, to 
make him a dependent servant! These blank charters had 
been the princely prerogative of the Stadtholder, the scepter 
with which he ruled! These papers, on which nothing was 
written, but at the lower corner of which stood the Elector’s 
sign manual — these papers had made him absolute monarch 
of the Mark. In free plenitude of power, with unfettered 
will, had he filled up the vacant sheets, bestowing by their 
means honors and benefits, inflicting punishments, imposing 
taxes, and the Elector’s signature had legalized his decrees, 
and imparted the force of law to his will.* 

And these blank charters, before which his enemies trem- 
bled, which had struck his partisans and friends as a precious 
attribute of his power — these blank charters he was now called 
upon to resign! 

I shall not do it,” he exclaimed, in a loud, determined 
voice — ^^no, I shall not do it! I shall not be such a fool as 
* See von Orlich, History of Prussia, vol. i, p. GO. 


THE CATASTROPHE. 


381 


to lessen my own power. No; the blank charters are mine, 
I shall know how to hold them fast! ’’ 

He threw the rescript aside and seized another letter. 
Again from the Elector’s cabinet — again a command from 
him to the Stadtholder in the Mark! 

He broke open the seal, unfolded the paper with trem- 
bling hands, and again shuddered as he read; and a momen- 
tary pallor overspread his cheeks. This writing contained 
the Elector’s orders to suspend hostilities, and to refrain from 
any attack upon the Swedes and the places occupied by them, 
and most rigidly to confine himself to the defensive until an 
abiding peace could be concluded with Sweden. * 

“ You assail me, little Elector! ” he said, with smothered, 
threatening voice. You bring out your reserves against 
me, and would cause the proud edifice of my power to crumble 
away stone by stone! You fear lest if the great Colossus falls 
at once it might crush you, and therefore you would destroy 
it piecemeal, a little at a time! You shall not succeed, though, 
little Elector; the Colossus will rear its head on high, and you 
alone will fall! ” 

At this moment loud, angry and excited voices made them- 
selves heard from the antechamber, and a lackey tore open 
the door. 

^‘Your excellency, the Commandants von Rochow, von 
Kracht, and Colonel von Goldacker request an audience.” 

But the three gentlemen did not wait for the granting 
of this audience. With unseemly haste they rushed into the 
cabinet, unceremoniously thrust out the lackey, and closed the 
door behind him. 

Most gracious sir, do you know it? ” screamed Rochow, 
the commandant of Spandow. 

^^Do you know, your excellency, what things are going 
on? ” growled Kracht, the commandant of Berlin. 

‘^^Have you learned what hold steps the Elector is tak- 
ing? ” thundered Colonel Goldacker, shaking his fist in a most 
menacing way. 

“ I know nothing, gentlemen, have heard nothing! Speak, 
tell me what has happened! ” 

♦ See Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, vol. iii. p. 223. 


382 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


It has happened that the Elector has sent commissioners 
to all our fortresses! ” cried Herr von Rochow. “ Two hours 
ago such a cursed fellow came to me at Spandow, and when 
he had delivered me his message I left the fool standing th^re 
without any answer, threw myself on my horse, and galloped 
off to confer with your excellency.” 

And such a confounded popinjay has been with me, 
too!” growled Herr von Kracht. He also imparted to me 
his Electoral message — command, the fellow called it. I did 
just like Commandant von Rochow, left him standing while 
I hurried off to your excellency.” 

^‘An Electoral mandate reached me also!” cried Colonel 
Goldacker, laughing. simply showed the jackanapes the 
door, laughed him to scorn, and. am come to get my orders 
from your excellency! ” 

But, gentlemen, with all this I know nothing and can 
not find out what has happened. Sir Commandant von 
Rochow, inform me. What is the matter? ” 

The matter is, your excellency,” said Herr von Rochow, 
gnashing his teeth, “that a commissioner from the Elector 
has come to me with his master’s orders, to require an oath 
of allegiance to the Elector from myself and the whole gar- 
rison.” 

“A like order has the Elector’s deputy handed to me!” 
cried the commandant of Berlin; “ the fellow wanted to swear 
me and my men into the Elector’s service.” 

“ I, too, must give such an oath to the commissioner! ” 
screamed Goldacker, “ and my troops as well. What do you 
say to that. Sir Stadtholder in the Mark? ” 

Just now, however, the Stadtholder said nothing. He 
turned pale and tottered backward, until his hand rested upon 
a chair into which he sank. His head swam, a sudden dizzi- 
ness seized him, and he was obliged to put his hand over his 
eyes, for everything was turning and whirling in a circle 
around him. In the vehemence of their own excitement the 
three gentlemen hardly observed this, and the count, with 
the energy of his strong will, speedily recovered his com- 
posure and presence of mind. 

“ Your excellency! ” cried Commandant von Kracht, “.do 


THE CATASTROPHE. 


383 

you not agree with us? Do you not find the Elector intoler- 
ably assuming? ” 

“ I was silent because I was reflecting, gentlemen,” said 
the count, drawing a deep breath. ‘‘ This appearance of the 
commissioner empowered to administer to you your oaths of 
office is a challenge, thrown down to me by the Elector, for 
I am Director of the War Department, and to me alone should 
that duty have been committed of again binding the troops 
in the Mark to him by oath. He insults me, and thereby in- 
sults the Emperor, for you all know that the Emperor is your 
commander in chief, and that you dare never break the oath 
to the Emperor, which I took from you after the conclusion 
of the peace of Prague. You swore to do your duty for Em- 
peror and Elector, and for this reason, on the recent accession 
of the present Elector, I only required the colonels to give me 
their hands in token of their obligations already assumed, 
for an oath is an oath, and you can not swear to serve one to- 
day and another to-morrow.” 

‘‘We can not and will not, either,” shouted Colonel Gold- 
acker furiously. “ I have given my word to the Emperor. I 
remain true to the Emperor, and the Emperor will protect 
us against the insolence of the little Elector.” 

“Yes, the Emperor will protect us,” cried Colonel von 
Eochow. “ I shall take no new oath, for I have sworn to the 
Emperor, and not until the Emperor has released me from the 
oath, and I have made a new agreement with the Elector, can I 
swear to him. Until that time the oath which I have taken 
to the Emperor remains binding.” * 

“ I, too, have sworn to serve the Emperor, and shall abide 
by my cath,” said the commandant of Berlin, as if weighing 
each word. “Ho one has a right to command here but the 
Emperor and the Stadtholder in the Mark, whom the Elector 
himself appointed. What that vagabond of a commissioner 
says is nothing to the purpose — it signifies nothing to us.” 

“ No, it signifies nothing to us,” repeated the other gentle- 
men. “From you alone. Sir Stadtholder, can we receive 
orders, for you are Director of the Council of War, the 
representative of the Emperor and Elector. To you alone 
* Rochow’s own words. See Droysen, vol. iii, p. 224. 


384 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


we belong. Give us your orders: we are here to receive 
them! ’’ 

‘^Gentlemen,” said the Stadtholder, pointing with his 
finger to a sealed packet, lying on the writing table before him 
— gentlemen, you interrupted me by your entrance in the 
perusal of important dispatches, which had just arrived for 
me from the Elector’s cabinet. See, there lies an unopened 
writing with the Electoral seal. Allow me to read it, for it 
contains the Elector’s commands, which may harmonize with 
those of his accredited commissioner, or at least enter into 
particulars with regard to them.” 

The three officers bowed and reverentially retreated a few 
steps; but their eyes rested with intense interest upon the 
count, who now broke the seal and unfolded the paper. A 
deep silence followed. The piercing glances of the three war- 
riors rested on the count’s countenance, which maintained 
steadfastly its grave, serious expression. But now a scornful 
laugh burst from him, and for a moment an expression of wild 
joy illuminated his features. He rose, and with the paper in 
his hand approached the soldiers. Gentlemen,” he said 
quietly, I have a piece of news to communicate to you, which 
I fear will incommode you and your men a little, and is not 
calculated to heighten the love of the military for their chief. 
The Elector commands me, until further notice, to put the 
troops upon summer allowance, and the payment now in ar- 
rears is regarded as coming under the same regulation. I beg 
you will inform your troops of this.” 

That is shameful! That is contemptible! That will put 
the soldiers in a perfect fury! ” screamed the three officers 
together. 

I do not mean to tell my men! ” exclaimed Herr von 
Rochow — no, I shall not tell them, for the fellows would be 
frantic, and in their desperation might commit shameful 
acts! ” 

shall tell my men on the spot! ” grumbled Herr von 
Kracht. “ I shall tell them on purpose to make them desper- 
ate, to make them rave! As far as I am concerned, they are 
welcome to vent their spleen upon all Berlin, upon the whole 
region round about. Let them go around, plundering and lay- 


THE CATASTROPHE. 


385 


ing the country under contribution; they are justified in doing 
so, for the fellows can not subsist in winter on summer allow- 
ance, and therefore must rob and plunder.” 

I shall tell my soldiers directly, too,” shouted Herr von 
Goldacker. Not but that it will give rise to a pretty tale of 
murder, a devilish scandal. There will result a military out- 
break, and the burghers of Berlin and Cologne may look to 
themselves; hut the Elector has so willed it — the Elector ex- 
cites us as well as our subordinates to open insurrection. Let 
-him work his will now; it will only convince him that we are 
not to be ruled by scraps of paper and decrees scribbled by 
feather-headed clerks, and that he is not the irresistible lord, 
to whose piping we dance. The little Elector shall be made 
to know that the Emperor alone is our supreme officer, to him 
we have sworn fealty, and to him we cling despite the Elector 
and all his deputies. I am going on the spot to give my com- 
missioner his dismissal — to tell him that I shall not swear, 
and then to carry to my soldiers the news of their having been 
put upon summer allowance! ” 

“ I will go with you,” cried Herr von Kracht. I will also 
put my commissioner out of the door, and convey the glad 
tidings to the garrison of Berlin.” 

And I,” said Herr von Rochow, “ will forthwith dis- 
patch a courier to Spandow, to tell my lieutenant that he must 
send the commissioner out of the fort, and tell the garrison 
that they are put on summer allowance. It will stir up a fine 
huh-buh, I am sure of that.” 

I, too, believe that the end will not be perfect peace,” said 
the Stadtholder, smiling. Let the Elector learn that govern- 
ing is not such an easy matter as he supposes, but that a man 
may know a good deal, and yet he an unskillful ruler. Go 
then, gentlemen, issue your orders, hut forget not that in an 
hour our entertainment begins, and that we must not allow 
our feast to he disturbed by such little follies of the new 
regime’’ 

^^No, we will not allow ourselves to be disturbed! ” cried 
Herr von Rochow. In one hour expect us here again, and 
you shall see, most gracious sir, that we have brought with 
us our cheerfulness, our fine appetites, and our thirst.” 


386 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Yes, yes, your excellency, guard well your keys and bot- 
tles; we shall take the field against them.” 

Do so, gentlemen,” said the count. But go now, to 
return the sooner.” 

He nodded kindly to the officers and followed them with 
his eyes until the door closed behind them. Then the com- 
posure of his features, the smile on his lip, vanished, and his 
whole being seemed to express agitation and bitterness of 
wrath. 

He will insist upon war,” he said fiercely. He smiles 
upon and strokes me with one hand, while with the other he 
stabs me, indicting wound upon wound. Yes, yes, stone by 
stone he would crumble to dust the tower of my strength, and 
thinks to crush me to atoms, supposing that I will voluntarily 
bend to avoid being bent by him. Oh, you are mistaken, little 
Elector; I am not afraid of you, I shall not bend before you! 
The Emperor alone I serve, to him alone I am subject. But 
to me the Emperor is a gracious master. He will ruin you 
and exalt me; he will protect me against your arrogance. To 
me belongs the future, presumptuous young Prince! who 
would rule here, where I have held undisputed sway for twenty 
years. To me alone belongs the Mark, and I shall hold it for 
my lord and Emperor! The crisis has come, and finds me 
prepared and resolute. The troops will revolt, and then shall 
I step out among them, appease them in the EmperoPs name, 
with lavish hand scatter money among them, and again bind 
them by oath to the Emperor! Oh, my heart leaps for joy, for 
the hour of action has come. Only one thing I lack. I would 
just like to have certain news from my son, to be sure 
that the Emperor approves of my plan, that he will lift me 
up where the Elector would cast me down. But this, too, 
will come, this wish will also be gratified. For I am a son of 
good fortune, and all goes in accordance with my wishes! 
Away then with all sad and gloomy thoughts! I would present 
a cheerful countenance to my guests — I would appear before 
them in the full splendor of my glory! ” 

He repaired to his dressing room, where his valets arrayed 
him in the magnificent habit of a Grand Master of the Knights 
of St. John, and upon his breast shone the cross of the order 


THE CATASTROPHE. 


387 


set with sparkling brilliants. Having completed his toilet, he 
went to the great mirror and, casting a cursory glance therein, 
said to himself with some satisfaction that his person was still 
stately and distinguished, well suited to a reigning prince 
and fitted for wearing a crown! This thought lighted up his 
countenance with joyful pride, and with high head he re- 
turned to his cabinet. Chamberlain von Lehndorf entered, 
to inform his most noble master that the guests were already 
assembled in the great reception room, and longingly awaited 
his appearance. The chamberlain handed the count his 
ermine-tipped velvet cap, with its long white ostrich plumes, 
and then fiew before to open for him the doors leading to the 
small antechamber, where were assembled all the officers of 
the count’s household, waiting to follow their master into 
the hall. 

Lehndorf stood at the door of the antechamber, and the 
Stadtholder smiled upon him as he passed. 

No letters and dispatches from my son at Regensburg, 
Lehndorf? ” 

None, most gracious sir.” 

If a courier comes, let me know of it without delay,” 
continued the count, moving forward. Anything else new, 
Lehndorf? ” 

Nothing new, your excellency.” 

What noise was that just now in the antechamber, while 
the commandants were in my cabinet? ” 

^^Most gracious sir, an insolent soldier — one of those 
Saxons who marched in yesterday— forced himself into the 
antechamber, and with real importunity begged to speak to 
your excellency.” 

Why did you not hid him wait until the gentlemen had 
gone, and then announce him? ” 

"" He would not consent to wait by any means, and with 
brazen face demanded to see your excellency on the spot. The 
fellow was drunk, it was plain to see, and in his intoxication 
kept crying out that he must talk with your excellency about an 
important secret; if you would not admit him directly, he 
would go to Prussia and tell your secret to the Elector, which 
would bring your honor to the scaffold. It was positively 


38a 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


ridiculous to hear the fellow talk, and the lackeys, instead of 
getting angry, laughed outright at him, which only enraged 
him the more; he worked his arms and legs like a jumping 
jack and made faces like a nut-cracker. However, when 
he again presumed to abuse your grace, our people made 
short work of the drunken knave, and thrust him out of 
doors.’’ 

Well, I hope his airing will do him good,” said the 
count, smiling, ‘^and that he came to his senses on the 
street.” 

It seems not, though,” replied Chamberlain von Lehn- 
dorf, making a signal to the halberdiers stationed on both 
sides of the doors of the grand reception hall that they should 
open the door — no, it seems that the airing did the drunken 
soldier no good. For, only think, gracious sir, just now, as I 
passed through the front entry to get to your apartments, 
there the man stood, and as soon as he saw me he sprang at 
me, seized my arm, and whispered: ‘ Chamberlain von Lehn- 
dorf, I must speak to the Stadtholder. Only tell him my name,^ 
and I know that he will receive me.’ ” 

“And did he tell you his name, Lehndorf?” asked the 
count, as he walked forward. 

“ Yes indeed, noble sir,” laughed the chamberlain; “ with 
monstrously important air he whispered his name in my ear, 
as if he had been the Pope in disguise or the Emperor him- 
self. I laughed outright, and left him standing.” 

The count now stood close before the wide-open doors 
which led into the grand reception hall. The halberdiers 
struck upon the ground with their gold-headed staves; in 
the spacious, magnificently decorated hall appeared a dense 
throng of army officers in their glittering uniforms and civil 
dignitaries in their ceremonial garbs of office. Six pages, in 
richly embroidered velvet suits, stood on both sides of the 
door, while in the raised gilded balcony opposite the musicians 
arose and began to pour forth a thundering peal of welcome 
as soon as they caught sight of the Stadtholder. 

Count Schwarzenherg, however, took no notice of this; 
he stood upon the threshold of the door, and his smiling face 
was still turned upon his chamberlain. 


THE CATASTROPHE. 


389 


What name did the fellow give? ’’ asked he carelessly. 

Oh, a very fine name, gracious sir. He had the same 
name as the blessed archangel — Gabriel! 

“ Gabriel ? ” echoed the count hastily and at the top of his 
voice, for the musicians played so loud that a man could hardly 
hear his own voice, even though he shouted. “ Only Gabriel, 
nothing further? ” 

Yes, most gracious sir,’’ screamed the chamberlain,^^ he 
did call a second name; but I confess I did not pay much 
attention to it. I believe, though, it was Metzel. Yes, yes, 
I am quite sure he said Gabriel Metzel! ” 

He shouted this out very loud, not observing, as he pro- 
nounced his last words, that the music had ceased; the name 
Gabriel Metzel, therefore, rang like a loud call through the 
vast apartment, and the brilliant, courtly assemblage laughed, 
although they understood not the connection between the 
loud call and the hushing of the music. Chamberlain von 
Lehndorf laughed too, and turned smiling to the count to 
apologize for his involuntary trangression. 

But Count Schwarzenberg did not laugh; he looked pale, 
and with trembling lips addressed his chamberlain: Lehn- 
dorf, hurry out and conduct the soldier to my antechamber. 
Tell him I will come to him directly. Do not let the man get 
out of your sight, watch him closely. In five minutes, as soon 
as I have welcomed my guests, I will come to the antechamber 
and speak to the fellow myself. Go! ” 

The chamberlain fiew off to obey this behest, and the Stadt- 
holder entered the hall. Behind him were ranged the twelve 
pages in their glittering clothes, then followed the officers 
of the household in splendid uniforms. Again the trumpets 
of the musicians sent forth their animating peals, and, ranged 
around the hall in a wide circle, the staff officers, high dig- 
nitaries, lords of the supreme court and of the magistracy, all 
with the insignia of their rank, bowed reverentially before 
the almighty lord, who now made his progress through the 
hall amid the clashing of trombones and trumpets. He 
passed along the brilliant rows of guests with quick, hurried 
step, but while his lips wore a smile, he thought to himself, 
‘^When this abominable ceremony is over and I have com- 


390 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


pleted the circuit, I shall absent myself; I shall see if it is the 
veritable Gabriel Metzel, the ” 

Just at this moment Chamberlain von Lehndorf ap- 
proached him, and bent close to his ear. Most gracious sir! ” 
he cried amid the clash of trumpets — “ most gracious sir, 
the man is no longer there. He has gone and can no longer 
be seen in the street! ” 

The Stadtholder gave a slight nod of the head, and pro- 
ceeded to bid his guests welcome. 


YI. — Revenge. 


Sumptuous was the feast, choice were the viands, and 
costly the fragrant wines. The guests of the Stadtholder in 
the Mark were full of rapture, full of admiration, and their 
lips were lavish in praises of the noble count, while their eyes 
shone brighter from partaking of the generous wine. The 
lackeys flew up and down the hall, waiting upon the guests, 
the pages stood behind the count’s chair, and offered his ex- 
cellency food and drink in vessels of gold. At first they sat 
at table with grave and dignified demeanor, but gradually the 
delicious viands enlivened their hearts, the glowing wine 
loosened their tongues, and now they laughed and talked mer-: 
rily and gave themselves entirely up to the pleasures of the 
table. Louder swelled the hum of mingled voices. Peals of 
laughter rang through the banquet hall, until in their turn 
they were drowned by bursts of dashing music, whose inspir- 
ing strains blended with the animated tones of the human 
voice. Count Adam Schwarzenberg, who sat at the upper 
end of the table under a canopy of purple velvet, heard all 
this, and yet it seemed to him like a dream, and as if all this 
bustle, laughing, and merrymaking came to him from the 
distant past. 

He heard the confusion of voices, the clangor of the music, 
but it sounded hollow in his ear, and above all rang fearfully 
distinct the name which Lehndorf had pronounced — Gabriel 


REVENGE. 


391 


Nietzel! His guests sang and laughed, but he heard only 
that one name — Gabriel Nietzel! 

Round about the long table he saw only glad faces, beam- 
ing eyes, and flushed cheeks, hut he saw them vanish and 
other faces arise before his inner eye, faces of the past! There 
sat the Elector George William, with his easy, good-natured 
countenance. He nodded smilingly at him, and his glance, 
full of affection, rested upon him, the favorite. Yes, he had 
loved him dearly, that good Elector! Out of the little, in- 
significant Count Schwarzenberg he had made a mighty lord, 
had exalted him into a Stadtholder, into the most powerful 
subject in his realm! And how had he requited him? 

Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel! ’’ He heard the mad- 
dening words ringing clearly and distinctly above the din of 
music, song, and laughter — Gabriel Nietzel! 

There he stood in page’s dress, across there, behind the 
chair of the young Electoral Prince, whose pale, noble fea- 
tures had just begun to quiver convulsively — there he stood 
and cast a look of intelligence at him, Count Schwarzenberg. 

“ Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel! ” 

Ever thus rang the echo through the hall, and however 
varied the medley of sounds, to him all was embodied in that 
name. For long months he had caused search to he made 
for him, hut nobody had been able to bring him any tidings 
of Gabriel Nietzel’s whereabouts. So, gradually, he had for- 
gotten him, and his anxiety about him had died away. Why 
must this dreaded name make itself heard again to-day, just 
to-day, when he was inaugurating the bright days of his future 
with this splendid feast? Why must that hateful name mingle 
with the rejoicings of his merry guests? 

He would think of it no more, no more allow himself to 
be haunted by phantoms of the past! Away with memories, 
away with that unhappy name! Vehemently, indignantly 
he shook his lofty head, as if these memories were only 
troublesome insects to be driven away by the mere wrinkling 
of his brow. He even called a smile to his lips, and with a 
proud effort at self-control arose from his armchair and lifted 
the golden beaker on high, in his right hand. 

If he spoke himself, he would no longer hear that perpetual 


392 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


ringing and singing within his breast — Gabriel Nietzel! 
Gabriel Metzel! 

He lifted the golden beaker yet higher and bowed right 
and left to his guests, who had risen to their feet and looked 
at him full of expectancy. 

To the health of the Emperor Ferdinand, our most 
gracious Sovereign and lord! 

The musicians struck their most triumphant melody; 
with loud huzzas and shouts the guests repeated, To the 
health of our most gracious lord and Emperor! ” 

“ Gabriel Metzel! Gabriel Metzel! Still it rang in 
Schwarzenberg’s ears, and he sank back in his armchair and 
felt a sense of helpless despondency creep over his heart. 

The guests followed his example and resumed their seats. 
A momentary silence ensued. All at once Chamberlain von 
Lehndorf rose from his place, took his glass with him, and 
went along the table to the Counselor of the Exchequer von 
Lastrow, who was carrying on an earnest conversation in an 
undertone with the burgomaster of Berlin. The chamberlain’s 
face was flushed with wine, his eyes sparkled, and his gait was 
so wavering and unsteady that even the goblet in his hand 
swung to and fro. 

“ Counselor von Lastrow,” he said, with loud, peremptory 
voice, ^^you refused to drink the health proposed by his ex- 
cellency the Stadtholder in the Mark. The toast was to his 
Majesty our lord. and Emperor. You did not lift up your 
glass, nor touch that of your neighbor. Wherefore was this? 
Why did you not drink to the welfare of our lord and Em- 
peror? ” 

I will tell you why, Chamberlain von Lehndorf,” re- 
plied Herr von Lastrow, leaping up and confronting the 
chamberlain in his gay uniform, with dagger dangling at his 
side — “ I will tell you why I did not accept the Stadtholder’s 
toast, and may all his guests hear and ponder. I thank you. 
Sir Chamberlain, for affording me an opportunity of express- 
ing myself openly and candidly on this subject. Permit me, 
gentlemen, to answer in the hearing of you all the question 
which the chamberlain has addressed to me.” 

As the counselor thus spoke his large black eyes surveyed 


REVENGE. 


S93 


both sides of the long table. All present were silenced, all 
eyes were directed to the lower end of the table, and each one 
listened with strained attention to hear the answer of Herr 
von Lastrow. 

Count Schwarzenberg had risen from his chair and given 
the rash chamberlain a look of displeasure. Yet he felt so 
embarrassed by his own anxiety that he dared not call him. 

Gabriel Metzel! Gabriel Nietzel! ” rang ever in his ears, 
frightening away all other sounds, until they seemed to reach 
him only as dim and hollow echoes from afar. 

Gentlemen! ” cried Herr von Lastrow now, in a loud 
voice, I did not drink the Stadtholder’s toast because it would 
have been contrary to my duty and my oath. Ferdinand is 
Emperor of the German Empire, and as such we owe him 
reverence and respect, but when the toast styles him our lord 
and Emperor I can not respond to it, for Ferdinand is not 
my lord! No, the Elector Frederick William is my master, 
and now I lift my glass and cry, ‘ Long live Frederick William, 
our lord and Elector! ’ ” 

Long live Frederick, our lord and Elector!” shouted 
voices here and there at the table, and all followers of the 
Elector sprang from their seats, held aloft their glasses, and 
shouted again and again, '' Long live Frederick William, our 
lord and Elector! ” 

Strike up, musicians! ” called Herr von Lastrow to the 
balcony, where the musicians sat, who lifted their trombones 
and trumpets and put them to their lips. But before a note 
was struck, Lehndorf shouted fiercely up to them: “ Silence! 
Dare not to blow a single blast! I forbid you in the name 
of our master, the Emperor! ” 

A wild yell of indignation from the Electoralists and a 
loud burst of applause from the Imperialists followed these 
words. Nobody remembered any longer that he was there 
as the guest of Schwarzenberg, the proud count and Stadt- 
holder. All prudence, all sense of respect was swallowed up 
in the storms of political passion. With threatening aspect 
and hashing eyes stood the Electoralists and Imperialists op- 
posite each other, and, while the former lifted up their glasses, 
to touch them in honor of their Sovereign and Elector, the 


394 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


latter knocked their glasses tumultuously on the table, and 
broke out into loud laughter and deafening imprecations. 
No one any longer paid honor to the master of the house — no 
one thought of him, in fact. He had risen from his seat with 
the intention of going to the other end of the table, where 
now a furious duel of words was progressing between his 
chamberlain and Herr von Lastrow. He desired to pacify 
them, to smooth over the contention; hut it was already too 
late, for ere he had reached the middle of the hall, a catas- 
trophe had occurred between the contending parties. Coun- 
selor von Lastrow raised his arm, and administered to 
Chamberlain Lehndorf a sounding box upon the cheek. 

One unanimous shriek of rage from the Imperialists, and 
they rushed toward Lehndorf and drew their swords. Behind 
Lastrow the Electoralists ranged themselves, and they, too, 
laid hare their weapons. 

Count Schwarzenherg tottered hack. He perceived that 
it was too late to pacify now, that all temporizing had become 
impossible. He had a feeling that he must flee away, that 
it did not comport with his dignity to stand there powerless 
and inactive between two factions. In this moment of weak- 
ness and indecision his confidential valet approached him. 

Most gracious sir,^’ he whispered, “ a courier from Ee- 
genshurg, from Count John Adolphus, has just arrived. I 
have already laid the letter upon your excellency’s writing 
table. It is marked ^ urgent.’ ” 

Count Schwarzenherg turned to hurry from the hall, to 
escape the wild tumult, to take refuge in his cabinet, and, 
above all things, to read the long-expected letter from his son. 

The uproar in the hall waxed ever fiercer, weapons clashed 
and wild battle cries resounded. He quickened his pace, and 
opened the door of the hall. Behind him rang out a pierc- 
ing shriek, a death cry! Quivering in every fiber of his being 

the count turned round to Once more that piercing 

shriek was heard, and Herr von Lastrow, with Lehndorf’s 
dagger in his breast, fell backward into the arms of his friends 
with the death rattle in his throat.* 

* This whole scene is historical. See von Orlich, History of Prussia, 
vol. i, p. 59. 


REVENGE. 


395 


Count Schwarzenberg, seized with horror, rushed on 
through the deserted, brilliantly lighted apartments — on, ever 
on. But that fearful shriek went with him, ringing ever in 
his ears. It drove him onward like a fury, and his hair stood 
on end and his heart heat to bursting. 

He had heard it once before, that death cry! 

In the stillness of night it had sounded that time in 
the castle of Berlin, when a pale woman had knelt at his feet 
and pleaded for her life! Often had he heard it since; it had 
awakened him from sleep, it had often startled him when en- 
gaged in merry conversation with his friends; at the festive 
board it had drowned the music as far as he was concerned, 
this death cry, this Fury of his conscience! 

At last he reached his cabinet. He threw himself into a 
chair. God he thanked, he was alone here! He had quiet 
and solitude here! 

He surveyed the room and an infinite feeling of relief 
and security came over him. 

Alone! 

Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Metzel! was whispered in his 
heart, and he looked timidly around, as if he feared to see 
him in each corner. Then a shriek resounded in his ear — 
that death cry! 

It had penetrated into his quiet cabinet, she stood be- 
hind him, she screamed in his ear, Gabriel Metzel! Re- 
becca! ” 

Perfectly unmanned, the count leaned back in his easy- 
chair, the sweat standing in great drops upon his, brow. He 
no longer even remembered that he had come there to read 
his son’s important letter! His soul was shattered in its in- 
most depths. Gabriel Metzel was there again! A murder 
had been committed in his house — at his table! Committed, 
too, by his own servant, his favorite, his friend! He durst not 
pardon him; he must punish the murderer according to the 
law. He must pronounce sentence of death on him, who had 
slain his fellow-man! He foresaw this in the future! He saw 
him.self as judge, the viceregent of God and justice, opposite 
the pale criminal, his servant, his friend, upon whom he pro- 
nounced sentence! 

26 


396 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


He! Would his lips dare to utter a sentence of death? 
Dared the murderer condemn? 

Gabriel Hietzel! Gabriel Metzel! Rebecca! Rebecca! 
screamed the voice behind his chair. But hark! what noise 
is that? What means that confused jumble of groans and 
yells and shouts — that howling as of fierce and sweeping 
winds, that roar as of the mighty deep? What is that so like 
the rolling of thunder? Are those wolflike howls the voices 
of men? Is that the tramp of human feet? Before his win- 
dows it surges and dashes, howls and roars! 

With difficulty Schwarzenberg rises from his chair, and, 
creeping to the window, conceals himself behind the hang- 
ings and cautiously looks out upon the street. A dense throng 
of soldiers surges beneath his windows; the whole street, the 
whole square is packed with them. Angry faces, the voices 
of furious men, hundreds upon hundreds of uplifted fists 
and portentous growls! 

He shall pay us our money! He wants to cheat us out 
of our pay! He wants to put us upon summer allowance and 
pocket the rest of the money! It is said this is done by the 
Elector’s command. But it is a lie, an abominable lie! 
Schwarzenberg lets nobody command him. He is master 
here. He wants us to starve that his own riches may he in- 
creased. We will not suffer it! He shall pay us for it! Hur- 
rah! Storm the house! ” 

A mutiny! ” muttered Count Schwarzenberg. They 
were to have rebelled, and so they do. But they rebel against 
me! I flung down the sword, and its point is turned against 
myself. So the spirits of hell grant what they have promised 
us — what we have purchased at the price of our souls! They 
give the reward, hut even while they are paying it out to us 
it becomes a curse and ruins us! ” 

How they storm and rage and roar without! How they 
beat and hammer against the locked doors! Count Schwarz- 
enherg stands behind the window and hears them! He hears 
other voices, too — Goldacker, Kracht, and Rochow endeavor- 
ing to calm them, exhorting them to be patient. 

Futile efforts! Ever louder grow the knocking and 
thundering against the house. Stones are hurled against 


REVENGE. 


397 

the walls, ^ the window shutters rattle and are shivered to pieces, 
the doors creak and give way. 

If they attempt to murder me, I shall not stand on the 
defensive,” murmurs Count Schwarzenherg to himself, as he 
retires from the window, slowly traverses the apartment, and 
again sinks down upon the chair by his writing table. The 
door of the cabinet is violently torn open, and in rush the Com- 
mandants von Kracht and von Rochow, followed by the cap- 
tains of their regiments. 

Gracious sir, it is impossible to calm these madmen. 
They no longer heed orders. They are beside themselves with 
rage. They have already broken open the doors and forced 
their way into the entrance hall. They will plunder and 
despoil the whole palace! We can save nothing more, prevent 
nothing more! You are lost, so are we, and all Berlin! ” 

Be it so! ”'says Schwarzenherg loftily. Let the whole 
earth fall down and overwhelm me in its ruins. I shall hut he 
buried beneath them! ” 

Gracious sir, only hear! The howling and yelling come 
ever nearer, and are continually gaining in strength! Gracious 
sir, have pity upon us, upon yourself! Save us all! ” 

‘^Save? How can I save any one? Will those savage 
hordes obey me, when they refuse submission to you, their 
officers? ” 

Gracious sir, they demand their pay! They demand 
money! Nothing will appease them but money, and assur- 
ances that they shall have their winter allowance. Give us 
money to quiet that raging host! Money — money! ” 

^^How much would you have? How much is needful to 
tame that fierce, wild horde ? ” 

Three hundred dollars! ” calls out Herr von Kracht. 

No; four hundred dollars! ” shouts Herr von Rochow. 

Five hundred dollars! ” growls Herr von Goldacker. 

No, give us six hundred dollars, which would do the thing 
thoroughly.” 

Well, be it six hundred dollars then,” says the count, with 
an expression of contemptuous scorn. “ Stay here, gentle- 
men; I will return directly. I am only going to fetch the 
money.” 


398 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


He left the cabinet and entered his sleeping apartment, 
where, at the side of the bed, stood the great iron chest to which 
he alone had the key. After a few minutes he rejoined the offi- 
cers in his cabinet. He had six rolls of money in his hand, two 
of which he handed to each of the three gentlemen. 

Here, gentlemen,’^ he said, with bitter mockery, here are 
the commandants who have authority to bring their troops 
to order. Go and show them to your men, and order them to 
follow these commandants to the cathedral square, and there 
distribute the money among them.” 

The gentlemen wished to thank him, hut with a wave of 
Kis hand he pointed them to the door, and they hurried out 
to their soldiers. 

Schwarzenherg looked after them, and listened to the 
rumbling and roaring without in the entrance hall of his 
house. Suddenly it became gentler, and finally ceased alto- 
gether. Then, after a pause, rang forth a loud shout of joy, 
and again the street filled with soldiers, again was heard the 
loud tramp of feet, the uproar and confusion of many tongues. 

The wretches have marched off,” murmured Count Schwarz- 
enberg to himself. Yes, yes, with money we buy love, with 
money hatred and ” 

Hurrah! Long live Count Schwarzenherg! ” sounded 
below his windows. “Long live the Stadtholder in the 
Mark! ” 

“That shout costs me six hundred dollars,” said he, 
shrugging his shoulders. “ To-morrow, most likely the mob 
will come again to threaten me, that I may again purchase 
a cheer from them. Well, for the present at least I have rest. 
Hobody shall disturb me. Nobody shall intrude upon me.” 

He stepped to the doors leading into his sleeping room 
and antechamber, and bolted them both. He did not think 
of the secret door which led to the little corridor and thence 
to the private staircase, and did not bolt that. Why should 
he have done so? The steps were so little used, so few knew 
of them, so few, of the existence of the little side door which 
led to them. It was not necessary to lock that door, for no 
one would come to him in that way. 

He was alone. God be praised, quite alone! And now 


REVENGE. 


399 


again he remembered the important letter, which he had for- 
gotten while the soldiers’ riot was in progress. There lay 
his son’s letter, on his writing table. He hastened thither 
and seated himself in the armchair, taking np the letter and 
examining its address. The sight of his son’s handwriting 
rejoiced his heart, as a greeting from afar. 

He drew a deep sigh of relief. All anguish, all cares had 
left him as soon as he took his son’s letter in his hand. Even 
the warning voice in his heart had hushed, even the Fury 
no longer stood behind his chair; he no longer heard her 
death cry. All was silent in that spacious apartment behind 
him, on which he turned his hack. 

He took the letter, broke the seal, and slowly unfolded the 
paper. But now he put off reading its contents for one mo- 
ment more. This sheet of paper contained the decision of his 
whole future, it would either exalt him into a reigning prince 
by bringing him the Emperor’s sanction, or lower him into an 

underling of the Elector, making him a nobody, if But 

no, it was impossible! The Emperor would not disavow him! 
It was folly to think of such a thing! 

He fixed his eyes on the paper and began to read. But 
as he read, his breath came ever quicker, his cheeks became 
more pale, his brow more clouded. His hands began to 
tremble so violently that the paper which they held rattled 
and shook, and finally dropped on the table. 

Motionless and gasping for breath the count sat there, 
staring at the letter. Then its contents flashed through him 
like a sudden shock, and, collecting his faculties, he once 
more snatched up the paper. 

“ It is impossible! ” he cried aloud, I read falsely! That 
can not be! My eyes surely deceived me! My ears shall lend 
their evidence! I will hear my sentence of condemnation! ” 

And with loud voice, occasionally interrupted by the con- 
vulsive groans which escaped his breast, he read: ‘^I am 
grieved to announce to you, beloved and honored father, that 
our affairs have not prospered, as we hoped and expected. 
Through the intercession of good Father Silvio, I had a long 
interview yesterday with the Emperor. And the result of 
it is this: The Emperor loves you, it is true; he calls you his 


400 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


most faithful servant, and promises ever to be a gracious 
Sovereign to you, but he will never further your projects of 
becoming an independent ruler, and will not assist you to 
effect the Elector’s ruin, that you may usurp his place. He 
rather wishes you to remain what you are — Stadtholder in 
the Mark — and to exert all your energies in maintaining that 
position, since the Emperor relies upon your good offices for 
securing him an ally in the Elector. The Mark is to remain 
Frederick William’s domain, but the Elector must become 
an Iihperialist. Such is the will, and pleasure of the Emperor. 
He urged me to beg you to evince more complaisance and 
deference for the Elector, that you may acquire influence over 
him. The Emperor had been much shocked by the news sent 
him from Konigsberg by Martinitz. It appears certain from 
this information, my dear father, that the Elector is much 
set against you, and that he only makes use of your continu- 
ance in office as a mask, behind which he may, unseen, direct 
his missiles against you. The Elector has taken your refusal 
to come to Konigsberg upon his invitation in very ill part, 
and it has excited his highest displeasure. We have played 
a dangerous game, and I fear we have lost it.” 

^^Lost!” screamed the count, crushing the paper in his 
hand into a ball and dashing it to the ground. Yes, I have 
lost and am ruined! The end and aim of my whole life are 
defeated! I aimed at the summit, and when I have nearly 
reached my goal an invisible hand hurls me back, and I am 
plunged into an abyss! ” 

As serves you right, for God is just! ” said a solemn voice 
behind him, and a hand was laid heavily upon his shoulder. 

Count Schwarzenberg uttered a shriek of horror and 
turned round. A soldier stood behind him — an Imperial sol- 
dier in dirty, tattered garments, a poor, miserable man. And 
yet the count sprang from his chair, as if in the presence of 
some prince or superior being before whom he must bow with 
reverence. With bowed head he stood before 'this soldier, and 
dared not look him in the face! 

Yes, it was a prince, it was a superior being before whom 
he bowed! He stood before his judge, he stood before his con- 
science! He knew it, he felt it! A cold hand was laid upon 


REVENGE. 


401 


his heart and contracted it convulsively; it was laid upon his 
head and bowed it low. Death was there, and his name was 
Gabriel Nietzel! 

Gabriel Nietzel! murmured his ashy pale lips, Gabriel 
Metzel! ” 

‘‘You recognize me, then?’’ said the soldier quietly and 
coldly. “ Look at me, count, lift your eyes upon me! I want 
to see your countenance! ” 

With a last effort of strength Count Schwarzenherg re- 
sumed his self-control. He raised his head, affecting his usual 
proud and self-satisfied air. “ Gabriel Nietzel! ” he cried, 
“Whence come you? What would you have of me? How 
did you come in here? ” 

“ How did I come in? ” repeated he. “ Through yon 
door! ” 

And he pointed at the door opening upon the secret stair- 
case. “ I came twice and begged to he allowed access to you, 
hut was refused. This time I admitted myself. You once 
sent me down the secret stairway, and pointed out that mode 
of exit to me yourself, when your son was coming to visit 
you. What do I want? I wqnt you to give me my wife, 
my Rebecca; and if you have murdered her, I want your 
life!” 

“ Would you murder me? ” exclaimed the count in horror, 
while moving slowly backward. Keeping his eyes fixed upon 
Gabriel Metzel, he sought to gain the door to his bedchamber. 
But Metzel guessed his design and disdainfully shook his 
head. “ Do not take that trouble,” he said. “ I have ab- 
stracted both keys and put them in my pocket. You can not 
escape me.” 

Count Schwarzenherg’s eyes darted a quick, involuntary 
glance across at the round table on which stood his hell. 
Metzel intercepted this glance and understood that the count 
meant to call his people. He took up the bell and thrust it 
into his bosom. 

“ Give up your efforts to evade me,” he said. “ God sends 
me to you. God will punish your crime by means of this hand, 
which you once bribed to commit a murderous deed. Count 
Schwarzenherg, you have acted the part of the devil toward 


402 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


me! You have robbed me of my soul! Give it back to me! 
I demand of you my soul! 

“ He is insane/’ said Count Schwarzenberg, softly to him- 
self. But Nietzel caught his meaning. 

“ No/’ he said sorrowfully — no, I am not insane. God 
has denied me that consolation. I know what has been, and 
what is. There was a time — a glorious, blessed time — when 
I forgot everything, when all pain was banished, and I was 
happy — ah, so happy! They said, indeed, that I was mad; 
they called it sickness, forsooth, and locked me up, and tor- 
mented me. But I was so happy/ for I saw my Rebecca always 

before me, she was ever at my side and Count, where 

have you left my Rebecca? Where is she? Give her to me! 
I will have her again, my own Rebecca! Give her back to me, 
directly, on the spot! ” 

He seized him with both his arms, his hands clutching 
his shoulders like claws. Where is Rebecca — my Rebecca? ” 

Gabriel Nietzel stared at the coUnt with frenzied fury, 
with devouring grief. Schwarzenherg cast down his eyes, 
a shudder passed over his frame, and terror-stricken he turned 
his head. It seemed to him as if, while Gabriel pressed upon 
his shoulders in front, some one came stealthily up to him 
from behind. He heard a cry — a death cry! The Fury was 
there again! He could not escape her now! 

Let me go, Gabriel Nietzel,” he said feebly. Quit your 
hold, go away. I will give you treasures, honors, distinctions, 
if you only quit your hold and go away! ” 

What will you give me, if I let you go ? ” screamed Gabriel 
Nietzel, tightening his grasp and shaking him violently. 

What will you give me? ” 

I will give you a fine house, I will give you thousands, 
I will give you rank and titles. Tell me what you want, and 
I will give it to you! ” 

Give me Rebecca! I want her and her alone! Tell me 
where she is or I will kill you! ” 

She is in my house at Spandow,” said the count hastily. 

Come, we will go away. You shall have your Rebecca again. 
Come, let us go! Rebecca is longing for you! Come! ” 

‘^You are deceiving me!” laughed Gabriel Nietzel. 


REVENGE. 


403 


see it in yonr eyes, you are deceiving me. Yon want me to 
open the doors, and then yon will call yonr people. There 
is no truth in what yon say. Rebecca is not at Spandow; I 
know that, for I have been there. I stood many hours before 
the windows of your palace and called upon her name. She 
would have heard if she had been there; she would have come 
to me — she would have freed me from all my sufferings. 
For, you must know, my Rebecca loved me! Because she 
loved me, that she might expiate the crime which you had 
tempted me to commit, that she might lift the weight of sin 
from my head, she went hack to Berlin and hade me go on 
with our child. I had solemnly sworn that to her, and I kept 
my oath. I went on, following the route we had agreed upon 
together. I waited for her at every resting place, and always 
waited in vain. I came to Venice, and went to the house of 
Rebecca’s father; hut she was not there. I wanted to go in 
search of her, hut they held me fast, they imprisoned me in 
a dark dungeon. And there I sat a whole century, and yet 
was patient, ever waiting for the moment when I might escape 
from them and go to look for my Rebecca. And at last the 
moment came. The jailer entered to bring me my food; we 
were quite alone, and they had taken off my chains, for I had 
been harmless and gentle for some months past. I seized him, 
choked him, so that he could not scream, took his keys, and 
ffed. God helped me; he always pities the poor and unfortu- 
nate — he knew that I wanted to search for Rebecca. I came 
to Germany; I enlisted as a soldier, for I durst not die of 
hunger, else I could not reach Berlin and find my Rebecca. 
But now I am. here, and ask you in the name of God and in 
view of the judgment day, where is Rebecca? ” 

I do not know,” murmured Count Schwarzenherg, whom 
Gabriel Metzel still held closely pinioned in his grasp. 

You do not know? ” shrieked Gabriel Metzel. I read 
it in your face, you have murdered her. Yes, yes, I see it, 
I feel it — ^you have murdered her! Confess it, wretch! fall 
down upon your knees and confess that you have murdered 
Rebecca! ” 

Schwarzenherg would have denied it, hut he could not; 
conscience paralyzed his tongue, so that it could not utter the 


406 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


to work. He heard them, but he could not call, for his tongue 
was palsied! He could not move, for his limbs were para- 
lyzed! 

Hours, eternities of anguish went by. Then his old valet 
came through the secret door, creeping softly in, and found 
him, that pitiable creature, on the floor, and screamed for help. 
Then the doors were broken down, and the servants came 
and the physicians. They lifted him up and bore him to the 
divan. He breathed, he lived! Perhaps help might not yet 
be impossible! 

Everything was tried, but all in vain. He still lived and 
breathed, but he was paralyzed in all his limbs, and soon the 
inner organs, too, refused to exercise their functions. They 
removed the invalid to Spandow because the mutinous regi- 
ments were perpetually threatening to renew their attack upon 
the count’s palace, and might disturb the repose of the dying 
man. There he lay in his castle, a living corpse for four days 
more, with open eyes, giving token that he heard and under- 
stood what was passing about him. Finally, at the end of 
four days, on the 4th of March, 1641, Count Adam von 
Schwarzenherg closed his eyes, and of the haughty, powerful, 
dreaded Stadtholder in the Mark, nothing was left hut cold, 
stiff clay! * 

* Count Schwarzenherg was buried in the village church at Spandow, 
his entrails in a separate case beside him. The sudden and unexpected 
death of the Stadtholder excited uncommon attention through Germany, 
and a report was circulated that upon the count’s retiring to Spandow 
on account of ill health the Elector had caused him to be arrested, and 
secretly beheaded in prison. Even as late as the times of Frederick the 
Great this report was commonly believed, and Frederick, when he wished 
to write a history of the reigning house, had the count’s coffin opened to 
ascertain whether the head was separate from the body. No trace of a 
violent severing of the head from the body was, however, discovered. 
See Pollnitz, Memoirs, vol. iv, p. 40 ; Droysen, vol. iii, p. 232. 


THE SEALING OP THE DOCUMENTS. 


407 


VII. — The Sealing of the Documents. 

A couriee, sent to Eegensburg by Herr von Kracht, com- 
mandant of Berlin, immediately upon the decease of Count 
Adam Schwarzenberg, had prompted his son Count John 
Adolphus to expedite his departure from that place, and to 
journey by forced stages to Berlin. He repaired first to Span- 
dow, and had his father^s embalmed remains interred with 
great pomp in the village church. After having thus dis- 
charged this first filial duty, he proceeded to Berlin to take 
possession of the inheritance left him by his father. 

The whole inheritance! Not the smallest part of it should 
he abstracted from him! In his father’s lifetime he had been 
appointed his coadjutor in the Order of the Knights of Malta; 
now, since his father was dead he must he his successor, must 
he Grand Master of the Order of St. John. He sent orders to 
Sonnenherg, summoning a solemn chapter of the order to 
hold its sitting, and to send in the oath of service due him. 
In his father’s lifetime he had been his associate in the office 
of Stadtholder; now, his father being no more, he claimed 
the stadtholdership in the Mark as his lawful heritage. And 
his friends and adherents strengthened the ambitious young 
count in these pretentions. As soon as John Adolphus had 
taken up his residence in Berlin, Commandant von Kracht 
placed guards before the gates of his palace, and every even- 
ing demanded a watchword from the young nobleman. 

Commandant von Eochow of Spandow placed himself and 
his garrison wholly at the disposal of the young Stadt- 
holder,” and Colonel von Goldacker swore that he would obey 
the orders of none other than Count John Adolphus, Grand 
Master of the Order of St. John and Stadtholder in the 
Mark. 

Count John Adolphus allowed himself to be rocked in these 
golden dreams of power and ambition, believed in their reali- 
zation, and was firmly determined to do everything to prove 
their truth. He accepted the guard, gave the watchword, 
and sent orders to Sonnenburg, as if he were already elected 
grand master; he required an oath of fealty from all those 


404 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


falsehood. He wanted to make resistance against those dread- 
ful hands which held him fast, but he had no more power. 
Everything swam before him, there was a roaring in his ears, 
his knees tottered and shook, and the perspiration stood in 
great drops upon his brow. 

Mercy,” he murmured, with quivering lips — mercy! I 

will make good again, I ” 

“Can you give me Rebecca again?” asked Gabriel, who 
now suddenly passed from the extreme of wrath to a cold 
tranquillity. “ Can you undo and make null your evil deeds? 
Can you take from me the guilt you brought upon me? No, 
you can not, and therefore you must die, for crime must be 
expiated! You murdered my Rebecca, and therefore I shall 
murder you. Adam Schwarzenberg, pray your last prayer, 
for I am here to kill you! ” 

“ No, you will not! ” cried Schwarzenberg. “No; you 
will be reasonable — you will accept my olfers! I promise you 

wealth and consideration, I ” 

“ Silence and pray, for you must die! Death is here, Adam 
Schwarzenberg, for Gabriel Nietzel is here! ” 

He saw it, he knew that Gabriel spoke the truth. He knew 
that this man, with the pale, distorted, grief-worn face, with 
those large eyes flaming with the fires of insanity, was to be 
his murderer. Death had come to summon him away — death 
in the form of Gabriel Nietzel! 

And so, he was to die! He, the mighty, the rich, the noble 
Count Schwarzenberg! He whose name all Germany revered, 
he before whom all bowed in humility, who had had control 
over millions! He was to die by the hand of a madman, to 
die alone, unwept! If his son were only with him, his dear, 

his only son, who loved him, who 

“ Have you prayed? ” asked Gabriel Nietzel, who had been 
waiting in silence. 

“No,” said Schwarzenberg, startled out of his train of 
thought — “ no, I have not prayed! Why do you ask that? ” 

“ Because you must die! ” replied Gabriel Nietzel, grasp- 
ing him more firmly with his left hand, and with his right 
drawing forth a dagger from his breast. The count profited 
by this moment, tore himself loose, jumped back, and rushed 


REVENGE. 


405 


toward the open door of the secret passage. But Nietzel 
sprang past him, and already stood before the door, confront- 
ing him again! As he saw the dagger glitter in the air, he re- 
membered, with the rapidity of thought, the instant when he 
had stood before Rebecca, with the drawn dagger in his hand. 

She had cried “ Mercy! mercy! ” He wanted to cry so, 
too, but could not! Like a flash of lightning it darted across 
his eyes, like a crushing blow it fell upon his brain. He ut- 
tered a piercing shriek, tumbled backward, and fell upon the 
ground, with rattling in his throat and with dimmed eyes! 

Gabriel Metzel bent over him and looked long into that 
convulsed countenance, and into those eyes which were fixed 
upon him with a look of entreaty! Nietzel understood that 
look. Ho,^^ he said roughly — “ no, I do not forgive you, I 
have no pity upon you. Be you cursed and condemned, and go 
to the grave in your sins! God has been gracious to me; he has 
not willed it that I should he stained with your blood. He has 
laid his own hand upon you and smitten you. You will per- 
haps have long to suffer yet. Suffer! ” 

He put up his dagger, strode through the apartment, 
stepped out upon the secret passage and closed the door be- 
hind him. 

^^And now,” he said, when he found himself outside — 
now I shall go and acknowledge my sins to the Elector. He 
will he compassionate, and allow me to mount the scaffold. I 
shall then have atoned for all, and will once more he united 
to my Rebecca! ” 

Was it possible that this wretched, sobbing, deathly pale 
something, lying there on the floor of the cabinet, was hut 
a few hours since the proud, the mighty, the dreaded and 
courted Count Adam von Schwarzenherg, the Stadtholder 
in the Mark? How he was a poor dying beggar, longing for 
a drink of water, and with no one near to hand him the re- 
freshing draught; who longed fqr a tear, and had no one to 
weep for him; who longed for forgiveness, and God himself 
would not forgive him! Hours, eternities of anguish went 
by, and still he lay helpless and solitary upon the floor! He 
plainly heard how they came and knocked, and then moved 
softly away, because they supposed that he had shut himself up 


408 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


places which had been pledged to his father by the Elector 
George William. He also issued his mandates in Berlin, and 
toward magistrates and judiciary he assumed the attitude 
of Stadtholder in the Mark. And nobody ventured to con- 
tradict him, no court had the spirit to oppose him, for the 
young count stood at the head of a host of powerful and in- 
fluential friends; the courts were weak and powerless, and 
as yet no instructions had been received from the Elector at 
Kbnigsberg. 

Count John Adolphus husbanded his time well. He sent 
messengers in all directions, corresponded with all his father’s 
friends and adherents, summoning them to rally around him, 
and to come sword in hand. He held correspondence also 
with the father confessor Silvio at Vienna, nay, even with 
the Emperor himself. Restlessly active was he from morning 
till night, his whole being absorbed in this one effort — to ruin 
the Elector, and to win for himself his rank and power! His 
friends seconded him in striving to attain this great end. 
Everywhere they were active, everywhere they sought to work 
for him and to procure him adherents. At Spandow and Ber- 
lin the Commandants von Kracht and von Rochow declared 
themselves ready to place garrison and fortress entirely under 
his direction; Colonel von Goldacker, commandant of 
Brandenburg, had betaken himself to his post, and only 
awaited the count’s word to sound the tocsin of war. In 
Kbnigsberg the Court Marshal von Waldow was most ener- 
getically massing the friends of Schwarzenberg, and his 
brother, Sebastian von Waldow, traveled from place to place, 
to gain friends and partisans for Count John Adolphus, and 
to ask them to come to Berlin, that, in case of danger, the 
count might be prepared to make a bold front against his 
foes. His friends everywhere led a life of bustle and stir, and 
all proclaimed themselves ready joyfully to unsheathe their 
swords in behalf of the young count, and to do battle for him if 
the Elector should refuse to confirm him in all his father’s 
appointments. 

^^He will not refuse,” said John Adolphus to himself, 
when he had just finished reading the report of his agent, 
Otto von Marwitz, which had only that morning reached him. 


THE SEALING OF THE DOCUMENTS. 409 

No, the weak, impotent Elector will not dare to refuse to 
acknowledge me as my father’s successor; for he must be well 
aware that I am even now more powerful in the Mark than 
himself, and enjoy, moreover, the favor and protection of 
the Emperor. He will not dare to attack me. I shall he sus- 
tained by him in my position of Stadtholder in the Mark, and 
then — from Stadtholder to independent Sovereign requires 
hut one step, which I mean to take, and ” 

The door was violently hurst open and Sebastian von Wal- 
do w rushed in. 

“ Count! ” he cried, gasping for breath — “ Count, we are 
lost! ” 

^^What is the matter? Say, what is the matter?” 

Conrad von Burgsdorf has captured the letters sent to 
you and myself, from Konigsberg, by my brother, the marshal, 
in which was a full statement of a plan for open war.” 

For God’s sake, who says so? How do you know that? ” 

One of our secret friends, who keeps his eye upon Burgs- 
dorf, came to tell me, that I might have opportunity of warn- 
ing you. In the course of a ride taken by Burgsdorf and his 
men in the environs of Berlin, they captured the servant whom 
my brother had intrusted with dispatches for you and myself.* 
The dispatches he sent forthwith by a courier to Konigsberg, 
and the servant was hurried off to the fortress of Kustrin, that 
he might he unable to communicate with us.” 

That is had news indeed,” said John Adolphus thought- 
fully. It also explains to me why Burgsdorf and his men 
have taken up their abode here, and frequently talk so cap- 
tiously and insolently when excited by wine. It is palpable 
that he has been commissioned to watch and, if need he, arrest 
us. We must therefore he on our guard, too, and render him 
harmless; that is to say, we must imprison him, so that he can 
not imprison us.” 

If I only knew the contents of the package,” murmured 
Sebastian von Waldo w. In the last letter which I received 
from my brother he stated that he hoped soon to be able to 
announce with certainty whether the Elector would nominate 
you Stadtholder or select some one else. Now this very letter 
* See Droysen,. History of Prussian Politics. 


410 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


has been intercepted, and we are left in utter darkness and un- 
certainty.^^ 

“ Gracious sir” proclaimed an advancing lackey, an 
officer from Commandant von Kracht begs to be admitted, 
as he is charged with a verbal message from the commandant.’^ 
Admit him,” ordered the count, going hastily to meet 
the officer, who was just stepping into the room. 

Sir Count, I have bad news for you. Colonel von Kracht 
has just been arrested. He commissioned me to convey the 
tidings to you as he was led away.” 

Count John Adolphus grew slightly pale, and exchanged 
a rapid glance of intelligence with Sebastian von Waldow. 

Who arrested Colonel von Kracht? ” he asked. 

Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf, most gracious sir. He 
showed Herr von Kracht his orders, signed by the Elector 
himself, and, as he came with a strong posse, the colonel could 
not resist, but was obliged to submit.” 

It is well; I thank you,” said John Adolphus quietly, 
and the officer took his leave. ‘^Well, Sebastian,” he said, 
turning to his confidant, you were right, the captured papers 
must have been of dangerous import, for we already see the 
results. Our enemies are active, and I like that, for thereby 
the denouement will be hastened and our victory brought 
nearer. For conquer we will! ” 

“ Conquer or die! ” sighed Sebastian von Waldow. 

Again was the door thrown open violently, and the count’s 
high steward hurried in, trembling and pale as a sheet. 
^^Your grace. Colonel von Burgsdorf, Colonel von Burgs- 
dorf,” stammered he. 

^^What of him?” inquired the count hastily. Speak, 
answer me, Wallenrodt, what of Colonel von Burgsdorf? ” 
Nothing further than that he ordered your high steward 
to conduct him hither and announce him to you,” said a rough, 
mocking voice behind the count. 

It was Conrad von Burgsdorf who thus spoke. He had 
just entered the apartment, and strode forward without apology 
or more formal salutation. 

Count J ohn A^dolphus von Schwarzenberg,” continued 
Burgsdorf, approaching close to the count, “ I have come to 


SEALING OF THE DOCUMENTS. 


411 


do what should have been done long before, to seal the papers 
of the late Stadtholder in the Mark, and to take them with 
me.’^ 

Very fine,” returned the count contemptuously. ^^Will 
you have the goodness to tell me whether my revered father 
imparted any such instructions to you before his death, and 
if so, show me the written order, for otherwise I would not 
be inclined to give you credence.” 

Have received no orders from the deceased count,” re- 
plied Burgsdorf, shrugging his shoulders. “Would have 
received no orders from him, for there is only one under whom 
I serve, and that one is my master, the Elector Frederick Wil- 
liam. He ordered me to affix his signet to all the papers left 
by Count Adam Schwarzenberg, and I have therefore come 
to obey these orders.” 

“ Where is the written order? ” 

“Have no written order, but obtained a verbal one Just 
a half hour ago.” 

“ Ah, it pleases you to Jest,” cried Count Adolphus scorn- 
fully. “ You have come from Konigsberg here in a half hour? 
If you will condescend to receive no commands save from the 
Elector, then you must have spoken with him, and, as far as I 
know, the Elector is at Konigsberg.” 

“ Your knowledge goes not far, my pretty sir,” said Burgs- 
dorf contemptuously. “ You are in everything a very unad- 
vised and ignorant young gentleman. The Elector is indeed 
at Konigsberg, but, nevertheless, he has made known his will 
to me through the newly appointed Stadtholder in the Mark, 
who arrived here, incognito, early this morning.” 

“ Stadtholder in the Mark! ” cried Count John Adolphus 
defiantly. “ I know no one who can lay claim to that title but 
m5^self alone! ” 

“ But I know some one who has not merely the title but 
the office itself, and that person is the Margrave Ernest von 
Jagerndorf. Herr von Metzdorf, come in! ” 

In answer to Burgsdorf s loud call a young officer advanced 
through the door leading from the adjacent room, which had 
been left ajar, and stood on the threshold awaiting further 
orders. 


27 


4:12 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Hand Count Adolphus von Schwarzenberg the Stadt- 
holders printed manifesto/^ said Burgsdorf. Lieutenant von 
Metzdorf drew near the count, extending toward him a huge 
sheet of paper. Read, my dear little count! ” cried Burgs- 
dorf. Only read! Yes, yes, it contains very interesting in- 
telligence. Margrave Ernest informs the citizens of Berlin 
and Cologne that he has been nominated by our gracious 
Elector Stadtholder in the Mark, and has entered upon the 
duties of his new office. He further informs the good folks 
of Berlin, that his Electoral Grace has been pleased to appoint 
Conrad von Burgsdorf superintendent of all the fortresses 
within the Electorate and Mark of Brandenburg. Colonel 
Conrad von Burgsdorf am I, and in my province as superin- 
tendent of all the fortresses I shall have all those arrested who 
refuse to swear allegiance to their Sovereign and Elector. 
Colonel von Kracht has experienced this, and his confederates 
shall soon enough acquire like knowledge. Count von 
Schwarzenberg, will you have the goodness to let me proceed 
to seal the papers, or must I use force by virtue of my right 
and authority? ” 

You are the stronger,” replied the count, shrugging his 
shoulders, or, rather, brute force is on your side, and against 
this ’twere irrational to contend. Do what I can not hinder. 
Seal up my father’s papers. I should think, however, that my 
own papers would he exempt from this procedure, and I hope 
the contents of my own desk will he respected.” As he spoke 
he cast a furtive glance upon his steward von Wallenrodt, who, 
nodding almost imperceptibly, slowly retreated to the door. 

I shall seal indiscriminately all the papers and desks 
found in the palace,” exclaimed Colonel von Burgsdorf. 

This whole palace, with all it contains, belonged to Count 
Adam Schwarzenberg, and my orders are to seal and remove 
all papers left by that gentleman. You see that I can not 
and will not make distinctions as to what is yours and what 
your deceased father’s.” 

I believe, indeed, that the art of reading is for you diffi- 
cult, nay almost impossible. Colonel von Burgsdorf! ” 

^^You believe so? You are mistaken, my young sir. I 
can even read what is written upon men’s faces, and read upon 


THE SEALING OF THE DOCUMENTS. 


413 


your brow that you are not merely puffed up with self-impor- 
tance, but that you are likewise forging wicked and dangerous 
plans, and have been led away by your ambition to desire things 
unsuitable for you. Come now, count, and accompany me into 
your father’s cabinet.” 

^‘ISTo!” cried the count — “no, I will do no such thing! 
It shall not be said that I voluntarily submitted to treason 
and brutal violence! ” 

“ Well, my little count,” cried Burgsdorf, laughing, “ if 
you will not act as guide of your own accord, you must be forced 
to do so nolens volens. You need not show us the way, for we 
will merely go from chamber to chamber and affix our seal 
to all the papers we can find. But the law requires your pres- 
ence, and your presence we shall have. Lieutenant von Metz- 
dorf and Lieutenant von Frohberg, each of you give an arm 
to Count von Schwarzenberg. Sustain and support him well, 
for the young gentleman feels a little unwell and can not go 
alone.” 

The two officers approached the count, who looked at them 
with threatening mien. “ Do not dare to touch me! ” he cried 
angrily. “ I will not follow you! I will not go! ” 

“You will not go, will you not? Not even when my 
officers offer you their arms? ” 

“ I will not go, but I shall complain to the Emperor of the 
violence done me, and he will procure me satisfaction.” 

“ Well, we shall bide our time,” said Burgsdorf placidly. 
“ For the present it only concerns us to obtain your honored 
companionship. Since, however, you declare that you can not 
go afoot, I shall carry you! ” 

And before the young count could prevent it, Burgsdorf 
had seized him in his gigantic arms and lifted him up. 

“Forward now, gentlemen,” he said, stepping briskly a 
few paces in advance, bearing the count as lightly and easily 
in his arms as if he had been an infant. 

“ Let me descend from the wine cask. Colonel von Burgs- 
dorf,” said Count Adolphus, smilingly and composedly. “ I 
have attained my end. I only wanted to defer the sealing 
for a few minutes. Having succeeded in effecting this, I shall 
no longer oppose any obstacle to your progress.” 


414 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


So much the better/^ cried Burgsdorf, setting him on the 
ground. For, even if you were as light as a feather, I would 
rather have free use of my arms and hands; and, besides, do 
not like such close contact with any birds of your plumage. 
Now, Sir Imperial Counselor, let us to work and commence 
the process of sealing.” 

Well and good,” said Count John Adolphus, only per- 
mit me to ask one question. To what end this sealing, and 
when will the signet be removed? I am my father’s sole heir; 
already I have had the will opened and read in the presence 
of competent witnesses, and in accordance with my father’s 
expressed desire entered into possession of the whole inherit- 
ance. The affixing of the seal appears to me, therefore, to be 
superfluous. If done at all, it should have been attended to 
before the opening of the will.” 

It has been delayed, alas! ” replied Conrad von Burgs- 
dorf, and it has resulted from the fact that since the Stadt- 
holder’s death there has been nobody to issue orders or defend 
the right. But now, as we have once more a Stadtholder in the 
Mark, all will be different, and those who put themselves in 
opposition may be on their guard, for we seal not merely 
papers, but men. As regards your question, count, the sealing 
affects your inheritance only in so far as you have presumed 
to include among your estates several districts and domains 
pertaining to the Elector, and have been in indecent haste 
to take possession of them.” 

" These domains were given in pledge to my father, and 
never redeemed.” 

That remains to be decided, and, for the purpose of set- 
tling this as well as many other matters, the Elector has or- 
dained that a judicial court shall sit. He himself named the 
gentlemen who were to constitute this board of investigation, 
which will enter upon its duties early to-morrow morning, 
and begin by removing the seal from the papers which I am 
to make myself master of to-day. The chairman of this 
committee is the president of the privy council, von Gbtze.” 

I know of no President von Gotze.” 

^^Yes, yes, your father deprived Herr von Gotze of his 
office because he would not dance to the Stadtholder’s piping. 


THE SEALING OF THE DOCUMENTS. 


415 


and was not his devoted servant to say yes to everything. But 
for that very reason our young Elector has installed him again 
in his office, and given orders, moreover, that he he the presi- 
dent of the committee of investigation. And now, as I have 
answered all your questions with praiseworthy patience and 
to my own satisfaction, let us at last proceed to sealing, and 
make a beginning in this very room. Shut the doors. Lieu- 
tenant von Metzdorf, and allow no one to go out who was here 
at our entrance.” 

Colonel,” replied the lieutenant, the high steward von 
Wallenrodt left the room a while ago, hut, as you had given 
no orders to that effect, I could not detain him. He went out 
just when you took the count up in your arms.” 

Humph! That is the reason why the count wanted to 
divert my attention for some minutes, that his steward might 
have time to execute his secret commission! ” cried the colonel 
stamping his foot passionately. We ought to have reflected 
that we had sly foxes to deal with, and guarded every outlet 
beforehand. Lieutenant von Metzdorf, place a man at every 
door and let no one out. Lieutenant von Erohherg, take with 
you four soldiers, and search the whole palace; if you find 
von Wallenrodt, arrest and search him.” 

“ Colonel, that is going too far! ” cried Count John Adol- 
phus, pale with rage and excitement. You have no right 
to arrest and search my servant. I interpose my protest, and 
will bring you to account before his Majesty the Emperor.” 

I shall take care of that,” replied the colonel composedly. 

If I have done wrong, let the committee of investigation 
call me to account. The Emperor in Vienna has nothing 
to do with me, and has no right to meddle in the administra- 
tion of justice among us.” 

We shall see about that! ” cried the count, with a threat- 
ening gesture. 

Yes, we shall see! But first we must see where the papers 
are, which we are to seal and caiTy off. Open that table 
drawer, count, and let us see what it contains.” 

Count Adolphus had to submit to having every desk and 
table searched, and wherever papers were found, the great 
seal of the Electoral privy council was affixed, and they were 


416 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


then removed. He had also to submit to having the whole 
palace ransacked from garret to cellar in search of the steward 
von Wallenrodt. The sealing he could not prevent, but he 
had the satisfaction of seeing the soldiers fail in discovering 
the hiding place of his steward after making the strictest pos- 
sible search, as well as of witnessing Colonel Burgsdorf’s dis- 
appointment on opening Count Adolphus’s own writing desk 
to find it perfectly empty. 

I said so,” growled Burgsdorf. We forgot that we were 
dealing with sly foxes, and barred the doors too late. Count 
John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg, the sealing is over. Now 
comes the performance of my second duty. I have to an- 
nounce to you on the part of Margrave Ernest, Stadtholder 
in the Mark, that you are under arrest in your own house until 
further notice, and are on no account whatever to be allowed 
to leave the palace. Here is the warrant, that you may not 
say I am acting without orders.” 

He drew forth a paper, unfolded it, and handed it to the 
count, who rapidly glanced over it. 

I see,” said he, with proud composure, you are acting 
under authority, and are merely your master’s faithful beadle. 
May I keep this warrant? ” 

Why so? ” 

To hand it to the Emperor, and show him with what 
disrespect they have dared to act against his counselor and 
chamberlain.” 

“ Keep the bill of indictment,” said Burgsdorf quietly? 

I shall be much surprised if you shortly find yourself in a 
condition to present it to the Emperor in person. Certainly 
not just now, for you are under arrest, and can not have con- 
trol of your own movements. You will therefore have the 
gratification of having a guard at your door, although you are 
not the Stadtholder. Farewell, Count John Adolphus! ” 

Bowing to the young count, who with a scornful laugh 
turned his back upon him, he left the apartment, followed 
by his officers. 

Metzdorf,” he said outside to the young officer in the 
antechamber, ^^to you I intrust the guarding of the palace. 
I know you are incorruptible, and will not allow the young 


THE SEALING OF THE DOCUMENTS. 


41T 


gentleman to escape. Go round the palace on- the outside, 
and before each door station two soldiers, who are to leave 
their posts neither by day or night. Eelieve them every 
four hours. The Stadtholder, alas! did not order us to 
guard the inner doors of the house, so we must only he 
watchful and circumspect outside. I commit the guarding 
to you, and if he escapes, the responsibility rests upon your- 
self.” 

“ Unless he is a magician who can vanish through the air, 
he shall not escape me, colonel,” said the young officer, s mi l- 
ing. “ I will stake my head upon his not going by ordinary 
means through the doors.” 

‘^Very well, lieutenant; but hark! Place two more sen- 
tinels at the garden railing opposite the palace. They are to 
watch the windows might and day, sounding an alarm as soon 
as they observe anything suspicious. Come now. Eeconnoiter 
the outer doors and post the sentinels. I am going to report 
to the Stadtholder.” 

Colonel Burgsdorf left the count’s palace, and repaired to 
the Electoral castle, where the Margrave Ernest von Jagern- 
dorf had taken up his residence. 

Count J ohn Adolphus had stood listening at the door, and 
heard every word spoken by Burgsdorf to his lieutenant, and 
then listened to his heavy, retreating footstep. Uow he heard 
the slamming of the front door, and rushing to the window, 
saw Burgsdorf mount his horse and ride off, followed by his 
companions and a wagon loaded with the papers which had 
been seized. 

Waldo w! ” cried the count, springing back from the win- 
dow, he has gone, and we have, God be thanked! no guard 
inside the house. We are unobserved.” 

“ What good will that do us. Sir Count,” sighed Waldo w. 
^^We can not leave the house, and your papers have been 
seized.” 

^^hTot my papers, Waldow! N’o, God be praised! not my 
papers! ” exulted the count. Did you not see that my writ- 
ing desk was empty? ” 

And what does that signify? ” 

It signifies that my trusty steward von Wallenrodt under- 


418 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


stood my hint, and, while I detained Burgsdorf, abstracted 
and concealed my papers.” 

Think you so? ” asked Waldo w, shrugging his shoulders. 

It seems to me more likely that the steward has imitated the 
rats, who always forsake a sinking ship, and has gone off. The 
palace has been ransacked and von Wallenrodt was nowhere 
to be found. He has probably gone to the new Stadtholder, 
thinking to benefit himself by betraying you.” 

You slander my faithful servant,” said the count. I 
know him better, and am confident that he will not betray me. 
Come, Waldo w, accompany me to my father’s cabinet. 

I will now show you that you have judged my steward 
falsely,” he continued, when they had reached the cabinet. 

This apartment conceals a mystery, known only to my father, 
myself, and Wallenrodt. Now, you shall become acquainted 
with it, and learn at the same time that there is still good 
faith in the world.” 

He crossed the spacious apartment to the large mirror, 
which, reaching down to the floor, filled up the whole space 
between the windows. He pressed an ornament of the frame, 
and the mirror flew back, having become a door, which opened 
and revealed a niche concealed in the wall. From this niche 
stepped forth the steward, with a great roll of papers in his 
hand. 

Most gracious sir,” he said quitely, handing the roll to 
the count, here are the papers of your writing desk.” 

Thank you, my faithful Wallenrodt!” cried Adolphus 
Schwarzenberg, offering him his hand. I knew that I could 
count upon you, and, when the writing desk was found empty, 
knew that you had understood my glance. But now, before 
we advise as to what is further to be done, let me examine 
these papers, for I do not exactly know whether they contain 
all that I would wish to conceal from Burgsdorf and my other 
enemies. Step into that window recess, friends, and let me 
look over these papers.” 

The two gentlemen retired into the deep window niche, 
and conversed together in whispers, while Count Adolphus 
rummaged over the papers with quick and nervous fingers. 
Ever quicker, ever more nervous became the movements of 


THE SEALING OF THE DOCUMENTS. 


419 


his hand, ever darker grew his brow, ever more anxious his 
countenance. As he laid aside the last sheet a sudden pallor 
overspread his face, and for a moment he leaned back in the 
fauteuil, quite faint and exhausted. 

Dearest sir! ” cried the steward, hurrying toward him, 
are not the papers all in order? ’’ 

It is just as I feared,” said the count, sighing. “ My 
whole correspondence with my father, during my last sojourn 
at Eegensburg, besides copies of my letters to the Emperor 
and Marwitz, were in the drawer of my father’s writing table, 
and have been carried off with the rest.” 

And did these letters compromise you, count? ” asked 
Herr von Waldo w, drawing nearer to him. 

With these letters in his hand. President von Gotze, the 
chairman of the committee of investigation, can arraign me 
as guilty of high treason and condemn me to death.” 

A long pause ensued. With gloomy countenances all 
three cast their eyes upon the ground. Then the steward 
lifted up his head, with an expression of firm resolve. 

You must flee, gracious sir,” he cried earnestly. 

^^Flee?” repeated the count, shrugging his shoulders. 
Ah, 5^ou have not heard of what further happened after you 
withdrew to your place of concealment! ” 

The whole palace is surrounded by soldiers,” completed 
Herr von Waldo w. At each door stand two sentinels, and 
even at the park gate two guards are stationed.” 

“ You see plainly, Wallenrodt, that flight is impossible,” 
said the count. 

The steward smiled. Through doors and windows you 
can not escape, in truth. There is a third way, however.” 
What sort of way, Wallenrodt? ” 

The secret passage, count.” 

I know of no secret passage.” 

But I do, count. Your late revered father had this secret 
passage built at the time the cities revolted and the Swedes 
were threatening Berlin. He had fifty workmen brought from 
Vienna, who were kept concealed in the palace, and worked 
every night upon this subterranean passage, and as soon as 
it was completed he had the men sent back to Austria. It is 


420 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


not to be supposed that you should know anything of this, 
count, for it happened at least fifteen years ago, when you were 
but a lad. While the wprk lasted the count resided at Span- 
dow, taking all his household with him, that no one might 
know anything about the secret passage. Only the old castel- 
lan and I remained behind, to overlook the work. We were 
the only two besides the Stadtholder who knew the secret. 
You must fiee through the subterranean passage, gracious 
sir.’^ 

Whither does the secret passage lead? ” asked the count. 

Winding along underground, it has its outlet in the little 
pavilion in the center of the park. The key to the outer door 
hangs within the passage, as does also the key to the garden 
gate. All is in good order, for, fearing that the count’s affairs 
might take a bad turn, I examined the passage through its 
whole extent until I arrived at the pavilion. Your grace can 
escape in that Avay unperceived.” 

And you, my faithful friends, will accompany me,” said 
the count, extending his hands to the two gentlemen. You 
were right just now, Waldo w, when you said we should con- 
quer or die. It seems now as if we must be ruined. Our ene- 
mies have gone to work with more zeal and determination 
than ourselves. AYhile we pondered, they acted; while we 
tarried, they strode energetically forward. The young Elector 
has made good use of his time, and like a spider has caught 
us in the net with which he had lightly and secretly encircled 
us. All my foes, all the sworn adversaries of my father, has 
he called out to battle against us. Envy, hatred, malice, are 
the regiments which the young lord musters into the field, 
and by means of these he has for the moment conquered us. 
But only for the moment. A day of reckoning will come to 
the haughty young sir. He thinks himself free and inde- 
pendent, but he shall learn that there is one higher than he 
to whom he must bow, to whom he owes obedience. Yes, the 
Emperor Ferdinand will avenge me upon this arrogant young 
man. He will cause his proud neck to bend, and force his 
vassal to give me satisfaction, and to reinstate me in all my 
offices and dignities, which he would unjustly withhold from 
me. I shall go to the Emperor at Vienna, and Ha, what 


THE SEALING OP THE DOCUMENTS. 


421 


a thought! ’’ he exclaimed, interrupting himself. Eushing 
across to his writing table, whose empty drawers were stretched 
wide open, he tore one out and thrust his arm into the vacant 
space. 

The secret compartment,” he cried triumphantly. Old 
Burgsdorf’s keen scent failed him this time. Here it is, safe 
and inviolate. Here! ” 

When he drew forth his hand it contained a small box, 
which he opened by touching a spring. The lid flew open; 
the box contained nothing but a dainty, perfumed note. Still 
the count esteemed it a precious possession. He took the paper 
and waved it exultingly above his head. 

This is my salvation! ” he cried. “ With this paper in 
my hand I am armed against all the villainy and malice of the 
Elector. Oh, my dear, noble father, I must thank you for 
this security, thank you that I shall come forth victor from 
this contest with my enemy. It was you who pointed out to 
me the signiflcance of this paper, who gave me the wise counsel 
to preserve it for future use. Thank you, oh, my father! At 
this hour this paper is the most precious inheritance which 
you have left me. I shall use it in accordance with your views, 
and as actuated by your spirit. 

How, my friends,” he continued, now am I ready for 
flight. Let us consider what is to be done.” 

Gracious sir, I have already considered,” replied Wallen- 
rodt warmly, and I hope you will approve my plan. You 
can not make use of the subterranean passage by day, for, 
as I said before, it has its outlet in the center of the park, 
and if you pass through the lower garden gate in safety, 
you have still to go through the suburbs of Cologne. Every 
one would recognize you, and who knows whether Colonel 
von Burgsdorf may not have placed sentinels there too? 
You must, therefore, make your escape by night. I, on 
the contrary, dressed as a simple burgher, will take advan- 
tage of the subterranean passage now, and, watching my op- 
portunity, when the street is quiet will leave the park and go 
away.” 

Where are you going, Wallenrodt? ” 

To Spandow, gracious sir, to Colonel von Eochow. I 


422 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


want to inform him of the course events have taken — to tell 
him that you are forced to leave Berlin. When nightfall comes 
your grace will be pleased to go through the subterranean 
passage in company with Herr von Waldo w, emerge into the 
park, and then proceed up the street. Without especial haste, 
for any appearance of haste might excite remark, you will go 
to the Willow-bank Gate. Outside I will await you with two 
saddled horses. These you will mount, and ride at full gallop 
to Spandow, where Herr von Rochow will he ready to receive 
your grace. From that place the count can depart when so 
disposed.” 

Your plan is good and feasible,” said the count. “ I 
accept it. Hasten, therefore, good friend, hasten to Colonel 
von Rochow with tidings of what has befallen us here. Tell 
him that the lime for hesitancy and delay has passed, that 
the hour of action has come. He has hitherto manfully re- 
fused to give in his oath to the Elector, and therefore the 
fortress of Spandow belongs to the Emperor, the sworn lord 
of its commandant, rather than to the Elector of Brandenburg. 
The walls of the Imperial fort will afford us protection and 
security, and from that point we can begin our contest with 
the enemy, who has so treacherously attacked us. Be off, 
my Wallenrodt, be off, and may we meet to-night in freedom 
and joy! ” 

“ Only forget not to arm yourself, gracious sir, and take 
care that no one watches and pursues you.” 

I shall precede the count with two loaded pistols,” 
cried Herr von Waldow. “ I will shoot down whoever shall 
dare to oppose him, and open a free path for him to the 
Willow-hank Gate, where you will he waiting for us, Wallen- 
rodt.” 

“We will both go armed and defend ourselves bravely,” 
said Count Adolphus Schwarzenherg. “We would rather 
die than fall into the hands of our enemies. Go now, Wallen- 
rodt, for you have verily a long way before you. The road to 
Spandow is long.” 

“ In three hours I shall he there, honored sir. We shall 
then have ample time to make our preparations for defense, 
and meet you here at twilight with horses. Come now, gen- 


THE FLIGHT. 


423 


tlemen, that I may show you the approach to the subterranean 
passage. It is in the little corridor next your late father’s 
cabinet.” 


VIII. — The Flight. 

How dreary and desolate was the day which Count Adol- 
phus now passed in the palace — how the hours lengthened into 
days, and the minutes into hours! How glad were they when 
twilight at last drew near, what sighs of relief they breathed 
when night at last set in! 

A dark, silent night. The sky was obscured by clouds, 
not a star was to be seen. A night well fitted for enveloping 
fugitives in her friendly mantle, and concealing them be- 
neath her gloomy shades. Away now, away! Night is here! 
Freedom beckons! The spacious palace was to-day nothing 
hut a close, oppressive prison. Nothing did Count Adolphus 
hear but the walking to and fro of the sentinels and the cor- 
poral’s call to relieve guard. Nothing did he see, when he 
went to the window, hut soldiers slowly pacing their round 
before the park railing. 

Away from this prison, whose splendor and luxury seemed 
like sheer mockery, away from this house teeming with hitter 
memories of past grandeur and glory! 

Night was here, the night of deliverance. Away, away! 

They wrapped their cloaks about them, drew their hats 
low over their foreheads, and entered the subterranean pas- 
sage. Waldow lead the way, a burning taper in one hand, a 
pistol in the other. Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg followed 
him, a pistol in either hand, firmly determined to shoot down 
whoever might dare to oppose his progress. 

The passage was traversed, and safely the two emerged into 
the open air in the park pavilion. Now forward quickly, down 
the dark alley to the lower garden gate. The key was in his 
pocket, there was nothing to obstruct their flight. 

One moment they paused within the half-opened gate- 
way and listened. Nothing moved in the street without. All 


4 : 24 : 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


life seemed already extinct, all the inhabitants of the wretched 
houses had retired to rest. Not a light glimmered through 
the windows. All was hushed and i^ill. They pushed open 
the gate and stepped out upon the street. They looked up and 
down; nowhere did they see a sign of movement, nowhere 
a human form, nor anywhere hear a rustling sound. Forward 
now, forward up the street, around the corner of the park, 
across the cathedral square. 

The night was quite dark, and the two fugitives looked 
ever ahead, not once behind them. They did not see that 
another shadow followed their black shadows, nor that a sec- 
ond shadow glided across the cathedral square to the Electoral 
castle. 

To that castle, too, were Count Schwarzenherg’s eyes di- 
rected. There it loomed up, veiled in mystery and gloom, 
its dim outlines barely distinguishable from the mass of over- 
hanging clouds in the background. In the lower story, where 
was situated the guardroom, burned a bright light, shining 
like a clear, yellow star, and irradiating the darkness of the 
night. 

Count Adolphus saw it, and also saw the light suddenly 
eclipsed by a shadow; then flame forth again. He saw the 
shadow, hut did not suspect that it bore any relationship to 
his person or movements. He only continued to look toward 
the castle, and to think of the past, taking farewell of his 
memories, farewell of the dreams of his youth! He thought 
of the insult put upon him that dreadful night when he 
had been mocked and deceived by her whom he loved, and 
he vowed vengeance for the tortures endured by him that 
night! 

'' Forward, Waldow, forward! ” He took his friend’s arm, 
and they pressed on. The shadow behind them advanced 
when they advanced and stopped when they stood still. 
Through the pleasure garden the pair proceeded with hurried 
steps, through the gate at the castle moat they entered upon 
the Willow-bank suburb, then down the deserted little streets 
of wretched huts. They reached the great Willow-bank 
meadow without the walls, passing through a gate not far 
from the bridge over the Spree. 


THE FLIGHT. 


425 


Wallenrodt, are you here?” whispered Schwarzenberg. 

“ Yes, count, I am here.” 

The tramp of horse^s hoofs, the voices of men speaking 
in whispers. 

Colonel von Eochow expects your grace. The whole 
fortress is at your service. He will defend you to the last man, 
and would rather blow the whole fortress into the air than 
surrender you to the enemy.” 

“ Yes, better he blown up by gunpowder, than fall into 
an enemy’s hands! ” cries the count, vaulting with glad heart 
into the saddle. 

Are you ready, my friends? ” 

Yes, we are ready.” 

The count gave the word of command, Forward! ” and 
grasped tighter his horse’s reins. 

Halt! halt! ” called a loud voice, and the shadow which 
had crept behind them now changed into the form of a tall 
and powerful man, who sprang through the gate and seized 
the count’s horse by the bridle. 

Back! ” shouted Adolphus Schwarzenberg furiously. 

Halt! halt! ” cried the other. You shall not escape. 
In the name of Colonel von Burgsdorf I arrest you. Count 
John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg.” 

Who are you, poor man, who are you who dares to oppose 
me? ” 

I am the police master Brandt. I arrest you in the name 
of the Stadtholder in the Mark! ” 

“ Wretched traitor! You swore fidelity to my father, and 
have now become the tool of his enemies. Hands off! It will 
cost you your life! Back! ” 

Iso, I will not leave you, I arrest you. You must stay 
here! ” 

Let us make an end of this, count,” shouted von Wal- 
do w. The night is so pitch-dark that we can not distinguish 
friend from foe, else I would have shot him long ago.” 

For the last time, hands oft my horse, or I shall shoot 

you.” 

For the last time. Yield peaceably, or I shall shoot you. 
Living or dead I must keep you, I have 


426 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


A flash, the report of a pistol, a death groan interrupted 
the police master’s words. The three horsemen bounded 
forward into the night. Forward at breakneck speed, but for 
the sand, that dreadful sand. This is the Rehberg, they know 
it by the sand in which the horses sink, from which they ex- 
tricate themselves only to sink again. Yet what matters it 
if they do make rather slow progress? They will surely reach 
Spandow before daybreak, and Colonel von Burgsdorf will be 
cheated out of his precious prisoners. 

What is that? What strange sound does the night wind 
bear to the three riders? Simultaneously all three turn in their 
saddles and listen. 

They hear it quite plainly. It is the noise made by trotting 
horses. It comes on — ^it comes nearer. 

Wallenrodt, Waldow! We are pursued! ” 

Yes, count, but we have the Rehberg almost behind us, 
and they must go through it. We have a good start. They 
will not overtake us.” 

‘‘ Forward, my friends, forward! ” 

They put spurs to their horses, they press their knees into 
their flanks, and the animals struggle faster through the sand. 
In spite of every hindrance they have now reached firmer 
ground and bound bravely forward. But the noise behind 
them has not ceased, not even become more 'remote. They 
must have good steeds, those pursuers, for they seem to come 
nearer and nearer. 

Friends, better die than fall into the hands of the 
enemy! ” shouts the count. I tell you the very moment 
Burgsdorf touches me I shall shoot myself. Greet my friends 
for me. Bid them farewell forever! ” 

“ You will not shoot yourself, count, for the enemy will 
not overtake us. Forward! Put spur to your horses. Heigh! 
Huzza! Forward! ” 

They rush through the darkness! 

Clouds dark and threatening course swiftly through the 
sky, horsemen dark and threatening course swiftly over the 
earth. 

Waldow! they come nearer! But we have still the start 
of them! ” 


THE FLIGHT. 


427 


Only see, count! That dark mass there against the sky. 
That is our goal. Just one quarter of an hour and we shall 
he safe in Spandow.” 

One quarter of an hour! An eternity! Hemh! Huzza! 
On! on!’’ 

Halt! ” is heard behind them. “ Halt! in the name of 
the Elector, in the name of the law! Halt! halt! ” 

That is Burgsdorf’s voice! ” cries Count Schwarzenberg, 
and spurs his horse with such violence that it rears and then 
shoots forward, swift as an arrow from a bow. But the pur- 
suers, too, dash forward, as if borne upon the wings of the 
wind, and the distance between them constantly grows less. 
Already they hear the horses pant; ever clearer, ever more 
distinct become the passionate outcries of Colonel Burgsdorf. 

He swears, he threatens, he rages! He orders the fugitives 
to halt, and swears to shoot them if they do not. 

What care they for threats or orders? Forward! forward! 
Behind them sounds a shot — a second, then a third! The 
balls whistle past their ears, and they laugh aloud, to prove to 
the enemy that they are still alive. 

Before them flash lights, like golden stars, like bonfires of 
rejoicing. 

Count, those are the lights of Spandow! Just see those 
torches there! The commandant is waiting for you at the 
entrance to the fort with his torchbearers.” 

On! on! ” shout the three, and they race onward at light- 
ning speed. And at lightning speed the pursuers follow. 
Hearer they come, ever nearer. 

have them! I have caught them!” exults Burgsdorf, 
springing forward and stretching out his hands toward the 
fugitives, for it seems to him as if he can indeed lay his hand 
upon them. Halt! halt! in the name of the Elector! ” 

Forward! forward! What care we for the Elector? 
What care we for Burgsdorf? Forward! ” 

The lights increase in size and brilliancy. How they dis- 
tinguish torches and the figures of men. 

Are you there, count? ” calls down Colonel von Rochow 
from the wall. 

It is I, colonel! ” 

20 


428 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


The gate is open, they gallop in! 

Over the wooden bridge gallop the pursuers after them. 
Now they are at the gate. But the gate slams to with thunder- 
ing sound. The pursuers are left without. 

“ Undo the bolts, Colonel von Rochow! I command you, 
undo the bolts! ” 

“ Who is it that dares to command me? ’’ calls down Colo- 
nel von Rochow from the fortification walls. 

I command you! I, the commandant in chief of all the 
fortresses in the Mark! ” 

“I know no commandant in chief, and trouble myself 
about no such person. I am commandant of Spandow, and 
have sworn to serve the Emperor, and him alone.” 

Colonel von Rochow, in the name of the Elector and in 
the name of the Stadtholder in the Mark, I command you 
for the last time to open the gate! ” 

“ The Elector is not my master to command me, and as 
to the Stadtholder in the Mark, here he is at my side. Only 
Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg do I recognize as such, and 
he forbids my opening the gate. Go hack quietly to Berlin, 
colonel, for the night is cold, and your ride will warm you.” 

^^And I must pocket this insult,” muttered old Burgs- 
dorf, gnashing his teeth. I can do nothing hut turn around 
and go hack with shame! ” Almost tearfully he gave his men 
the order to face about and return to Berlin. 

In the castle within. Count John Adolphus cordially of- 
fered his hand to Commandant von Rochow. 

Colonel, you have saved my life by furnishing me a 
refuge. I would have shot myself if Burgsdorf had over- 
taken me. I shall commend you to the Emperor’s Majesty for 
this friendly service.” 


THE LETTER. 


429 


IX. — The Letter. 

‘‘Well, here you are at last,” exclaimed Elector Fred- 
erick William, holding out his hand to Baron Leuchtmar von 
Kalkhun. ‘‘ You have at last returned from your difficult 
journey.” 

‘ Yes, gracious sir, you may well call it a difficult journey. 
Four long months of endless debate, wrangling, and dispute 
with those arrogant Swedish lords, who were ever ready 
to take but never to give. Such was my experience day by day 
for four long months.” 

“Yes, you are right,” said the Elector thoughtfully. 
“ Four months have indeed elapsed since you set out upon 
your journey and I undertook the duties of ruler. My God! 
it seems to me as if many years had rolled by since then, and 
as if I had become an old, old man! I do not believe I have 
laughed once during these four months, or enjoyed one 
quarter of an hour of pleasure or relaxation. Discord and 
discussion everywhere with Emperor and empire, with the 
States, with Poland, Juliers and Cleves. They are all my 
foes, and not one single hand is held out to me in friendship. 
I have felt at times right lonely, Leuchtmar, and sorely sighed 
for you. It could not be, though, and I have learned already 
to submit to necessity. Necessity alone is the despotic mis- 
tress of all princes, and we nothing but her humble vassals. 
It is a humiliating thought, but nevertheless true. I must 
learn to endure mortifications, and to consider them but the 
price which I pay for my future.” 

“ It grieves me to perceive that your highness is somewhat 
downcast and discouraged,” sighed Leuchtmar, looking sadly 
at the Elector’s pale, sober countenance, upon which the last 
four months had indeed left the imprint of years. 

“Downcast? Yes,” cried Frederick William; “for my 
affairs progress but slowly, and to gain anything I am com- 
pelled on all sides to make unpleasant concessions and to sub- 
mit to irksome restraints. But discouraged — no, Leucht- 
mar, I am not discouraged, and by God’s help never shall be! 
I know my purpose, which I shall pursue with immovable 


430 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


steadfastness, and, although the results of these first four 
months of government are barely discernible, I comfort myself 
that in as many years I shall have accomplished much. It 
is strange, Leuchtmar, that you have returned to-day, the 
very day which brings home my Polish ambassador with the 
tidings that the King of Poland is ready solemnly to invest 
me with the dukedom of Prussia, thanks to our money and our 
fair speeches. This very day I also expect decisive news from 
Colonel von Burgsdorf at Berlin. On the self-same day I 
sent you forth. You were like doves sent from a storm-tossed 
ark to seek for land. Almost at the same time you return to 
the ark, but I fear that none of you brings with him an olive 
branch.” 

Yet, most noble sir, I do bring you a small olive leaf,” 
replied Leuchtmar, with a gentle smile. “ I come to an- 
nounce to your grace that I have at last succeeded, after a 
four months’ contest, in wringing from the Swedish lords 
a few concessions, and concluding an armistice, which is to 
be binding for two years.” 

A two years’ cessation of hostilities is equivalent to ten 
years of refreshment, of reinvigoration! ” cried the Elector 
with radiant looks. Tell me, Leuchtmar, what concessions 
did these hard-headed Swedes make at the last moment ? ” 
^^Your highness, they have pledged themselves not to 
allow their soldiery to enter the Mark, unless unavoidably 
compelled to march through on their way elsewhere, and that 
then they shall be quartered and fed only under the direction 
of an Electoral commissary; and that, moreover, separate 
agreements shall be entered into with regard to the main- 
tenance of the Swedish garrisons of forts in Pomerania and 
the Mark.” * 

Yes,” murmured the Elector, with dejected mien, so 
low are we reduced that if they even acknowledge our natural 
rights, it strikes us in the light of a concession, a grant, and 
we must esteem ourselves happy in having obtained it! Ah! 
Leuchtmar, when will the time come when I can take my re- 
venge for these humiliations, the time when they will bow 
to me, and when it will be for me to concede and grant favors? 

* See Droysen, vol. iii, p. 239. 


THE LETTER. 


431 

Hush, ambitious heart, be soft and still! Go on, tell me what 
further settlements you concluded with the Swedes.” 

Gracious sir, I have no other concessions to mention, 
except that something has been done for the protection of 
our mutual traffic by sea and land. But that is as much to the 
advantage of the Swedes as of ourselves. The demands of the 
Swedes are truly far greater than their concessions! ” 

“ What do they demand? ” 

They demand in advance that they be left in undis- 
turbed possession of the fortresses they are now masters of.” 

I have not the power to take them by force of arms! ” 
cried the Elector, shrugging his shoulders. Let them keep 
what I can not force from them! What else? ” 

They demand, besides, that the Werben fortress be de- 
livered up to them.” 

I will not deliver it up to them! ” cried the Elector; 
but I will have it destroyed, that it be not seized by the Im- 
perialists. What else?” 

The Swedes further desire that the Kiistrin Pass be closed 
to imperial troops.” 

To that I willingly consent, for it is in accordance with 
my own interests,” said Frederick William, smiling. ‘‘ By 
Kiistrin is the road to Stettin, and it is important for us, too, 
that this way be closed to the Imperialists. Methinks a time 
will come when it shall be closed to the Swedes as well, and 
once closed, I shall not open it again. What else? ” 

" The Swedes crave the privilege of having a resident at 
Kiistrin, who shall attend to carrying out this article.” 

That I shall never consent to ! ” cried the Elector pas- 
sionately. Ko, that can not be, for such a permission would 
involve degradation, and the concessions which I am willing 
to make for the welfare of my torn and bleeding land need not 
go to the extent of degradation. I must have an armistice, 
that my subjects may recover from the effects of these bloody, 
trying times, and gather strength for renewed existence. I 
must have an armistice, in order to gain time for the re-estab- 
lishment of law and order. But there need be no armistice 
tending to dishonor me, and place me under Swedish sur- 
veillance in the midst of my own land. Ko, no Swedish spy. 


432 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


no resident at Kiistrin — that is the condition of my agreeing 
to the armistice. All else I acquiesce in.^’ 

And I hope to prevail upon the Swedish lords to recede 
from this claim yet/^ said Leuchtmar. “ Rest is very essential 
to them also just at this time, for they have enough to do to 
contend with the Imperialists, and the Danes are threaten- 
ing them with war. They will not desire to he embroiled with 
Brandenburg at the same time. I will guarantee the con- 
clusion of the armistice, and, if it meets your highness’s appro- 
bation, will travel again to Sweden to effect this alteration 
and then bring the articles to your highness for your signa- 
ture.” 

So he it, dear Leuchtmar. Return to Stockholm. Strike 
the iron while it is hot. Much I hope from this armistice. 
It will make the lords of Warsaw, Regensburg, and Vienna 
more pliant and yielding, for it will show them that the Elector 
of Brandenburg is no longer drifting helplessly about in a 
leaky boat, hut that he has succeeded at least in stopping one 
hole and keeping himself above water! And now, friend 
Leuchtmar, how fared you in your secret mission? Did you 
hand my letter to the young Queen? ” 

Yes, your highness; I even had the opportunity of de- 
livering it to her in a private audience without witnesses.” 
And did she accept it in a kind and friendly manner? ” 
Gracious sir,” replied Leuchtmar, smiling, a queen of 
fourteen years of age is very sensitive with regard to her dig- 
nity, and takes it very ill if she is not treated with due rever- 
ence and extreme devotion.” 

‘^Was my missive wanting in these respects?” asked 
Frederick William. 

I beg your highness’s pardon, but the young Queen 
seemed to he rather of this opinion. She was visibly de- 
lighted when I handed her your letter, and especially de- 
lighted that she received it secretly, without witnesses, and 
not in the presence of Chancellor Oxenstiem, whose guardian- 
ship seems to he very irksome and unpleasant to her. The 
young Queen blushed, sir, when she took your letter, and I 
must confess that at this moment she looked pretty and grace- 
ful enough to he the wife of my gracious master. But her 


THE LETTER. 


433 


countenance soon became clouded, as she read your communi- 
cation, whose contents seemed to afford her little satisfac- 
tion.’^ 

“ But she answered my letter, did she not, and you bring 
me her reply? ” 

Oh, yes, most gracious sir, she answered it, and I have 
with me Queen Christina’s reply. But I must beforehand 
make your grace an apology for this answer.” 

“ Wei], let me see it, Leuchtmar. Give me the answer.” 

Leuchtmar drew a folded paper from his pocket, and 
handed it to the Elector, who unfolded it. A number of torn 
bits of paper fell to the floor. 

What is that, Leuchtmar? ” asked the Elector in amaze- 
ment. 

Your highness,” replied Leuchtmar, that is Queen 
Christina’s answer.” 

The Elector picked up a few of the larger scraps of paper, 
and examined them attentively. It seems to me, Leucht- 
mar,” he said, ‘‘that I recognize specimens of my own pen- 
manship. Yes, yes, it is my writing! ” 

“ Yes, indeed, your highness, it is your own writing. It 
is your letter to Queen Christina of Sweden.” 

“ She sends it back to me torn? ” 

“ She tore it with her own exalted hands, trampled it 
under her royal feet, and literally wept for rage.” 

“ My heavens! what have I done to enrage her little Maj- 
esty so ? ” 

“ In the first place, noble sir, you wrote to the Queen in 
German instead of Latin, and she found that very wanting 
in respect, and thought you might have given yourself the 
trouble to write to her in the language most agreeable to her.* 
In the second place, you addressed the young Queen as ‘ Your 
highness,’ when she is entitled to be called ‘ Most serene high- 
ness.’ She is certain of that, for Oxenstiern had told her that 
he gained the title for her as an especial prerogative for her 
from your father and the house of Brandenburg. And in the 
third place, the Queen was annoyed that your writing was 
so cold and serious, and contained so few love words. ‘ If the 
* Droysen, vol. iii, p. 237. 


434 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Elector had nothing more to say to me than is contained in 
this letter/ cried the Queen, ^ he need not have troubled him- 
self to send it privately. This is a political document, which 
might have been handed by his envoy to the assembled States, 
and read aloud in public. But, if I do run the risk of receiving 
and reading a letter secretly, contrary to the high chancellor’s 
wishes, let it at least be a love letter. I merely gave you audi- 
ence because I was curious to get a love letter at last, and to 
know how such feelings are expressed. This is no love letter, 
though, and to such a note I have no other answer than this.’ 
And then the Queen tore the letter into little bits and scat- 
tered them on the floor. I gathered up the pieces, in which 
she aided me assiduously, lest Chancellor Oxenstiern, whom 
she momentarily expected, might notice something peculiar, 
and suspect that she had received a secret missive. I asked 
her most serene highness if I should bring your grace these 
torn bits of paper as her answer. She replied with a bewitch- 
ing smile that I must do so. Her cousin Frederick William 
might thereby learn to write her a better letter, when she 
would give him a better answer. This, gracious sir, is the 
story of the letter you intrusted to me for Queen Christina of 
Sweden.” 

The Elector laughed aloud. A charming story! ” he 
cried, “ for which I must thank my young relative, for she 
has lighted my somber existence by a ray of sunshine. It 
pleases me that my cousin is so forward, and thereby candid. 
The little maid of fourteen sighs for a love letter, and hopes 
that her cousin Frederick William, who sues for her hand, will 
write her one, and is so innocent as to suppose that he woos 
her because he loves her. Poor child, disappointed in her 
curiosity and her wish to know herself beloved! Yes, yes, 
it is the perpetual longing of the young heart to be loved, and 
when the first love letter is received, the foolish young crea- 
ture fancies itself the happiest being upon earth, and feels 
itself transported into the blessedness of paradise. Alas! they 
know not that all this is only an illusion, a sweet morning 
dream from which they will speedily be roused by rude, un- 
gentle hands. Leuchtmar, I can not gratify the little Queen 
of Sweden in her wish; I can write her no love letter, for I 


A SECRET AUDIENCE. 


435 


would be guilty of deceiving this young heart. No, I can 
utter no tender protestations, while my heart is still bleeding 
from inflicted wounds. But a cordial, friendly letter I will 
write to my dear cousin. I will write to her in faultless Latin, 
and couch it in most reverential terms. Who knows, per- 
haps I may yet win her heart, and she heal mine! I will 
write the letter, and you shall secretly transmit it to Queen 
Christina. I will so express it that it shall not seem to her 
fitted to be read before the assembled States, even though 
it be no love letter. Go now, Leuchtmar, and rest after the 
fatigues of your journey. But to-morrow evening, when busi- 
ness is ended, come to me in my cabinet, and let us read a 
couple of Horace’s odes for my strength and encouragement, 
as we used to do when I was still a free young man and not 
the Elector, the slave of position.” 

He offered the baron his hand, and affectionately con- 
ducted him to the door himself. Just at this moment that 
door was quickly opened, and a page appeared. 

“ Your Electoral Highness,” was his announcement, the 
imperial envoy. Count Martinitz, craves an audience for him- 
self, a special messenger from the Emperor, and his attendant.” 

Admit his Majesty’s envoys,” replied Frederick Wil- 
liam, as he again crossed the room and seated himself in the 
armchair before his writing table. 


X. — A Secket Audience. 

The three persons announced entered the Electoral cabi- 
net. First came Count Martinitz with important air, dressed 
in the richly embroidered costume of a Spanish courtier, fol- 
lowed by an old man of venerable aspect and the bearing of 
a scholar, clad in a suit of black velvet, and by a young lord 
in a magnificent court dress. The Elector sprang up on be- 
holding the latter, and a flush of indignation suffused his 
countenance. 

Count Martinitz,” he asked hastily, whom do you bring 
tome?” 


436 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Your highness,” replied Martinitz, with firm, composed 
voice — your highness, I beg to be allowed to present these 
two lords to you. This is Dr. Gebhard, a very learned and wise 
man, the Emperor Ferdinand’s cabinet and privy counselor, 
sent by his Majesty to your highness, charged with a confiden- 
tial and secret errand. Permit me now to present to your 
highness, this other gentleman.” 

I know him! ” cried the Elector, with hashing eyes and 
angry mien. “ I am only too well acquainted with Count 
Adolphus Schwarzenberg and all the plots and intrigues con- 
cocted by him in Berlin, and his efforts to lead my officers 
into insubordination and revolt. But when I ordered investi- 
gations to be made into these matters, and the count should 
have justified his actions, the boastful lord showed himself 
to be but a cowardly deserter! ” 

^^Your highness!” exclaimed the count coming forward 
with long strides, and touching the hilt of the dress-sword 
hanging at his side — “ your highness, I have come to justify 
myself against the calumnies of my enemies. Will you be 
pleased to hear me patiently, and not impugn my honor as 
a gentleman and a count of the empire before, you have listened 
to my justification? ” 

‘^You would justify yourself! Do you dare to attempt 
this ? ” asked the Elector indignantly. Look, here on my 
table lies the paper which the States of the Mark have ad- 
dressed to me, and in which they accuse you. The Emperor’s 
Majesty has sent me a scholar, who can certainly read it aright, 
if I perchance have made some mistake. Read, if you please. 
Dr. Gebhard, read these lines, and hear what the States write 
to me! ” 

He handed the imperial legate the document and pointed 
out with his finger the passage in point. 

Dr. Gebhard read: Count John Adolphus Schwarzen- 
berg, however, eluded the investigation by flight in the night- 
time, and despite a guard set. In an unusual way and in utter 
contempt of your highness’s received orders, he secretly es- 
caped.” * 

Yow,” cried the Elector passionately, would you main- 

* See Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, vol. iii, p. 236. 


A SECRET AUDIENCE. 437 

tain, that my States have reported to me what is not 
true ? ” 

“ It is true,” said Count Schwarzenberg. “ I saw myself 
forced to escape unjust pursuit, and ” 

‘‘ Forced by your bad conscience, sir,” interrupted the 
Elector impatiently. “ You left it for others to draw out of 
the fire the chestnuts which you had thrown in, and when you 
found out that I was not the timid, powerless Prince you sup- 
posed me to be, who could be frightened at a contest with 
you and your faction and awed by your glory and dignity; 
when you saw that I would bring you to Justice, you evaded 
the course of law and fied precipitately from the Judges.” 

Because I knew that these Judges were my enemies, and 
that he who was at their head. President von Gbtze, had been 
my father’s implacable foe of old.” 

“ That is to say, he had been of old an honest, true Bran- 
denburgher, not merely having proved himself an incorrupti- 
ble man, but never having condescended to bribe others for 
the sake of obtaining honor, position, or wealth for himself.” 

Your highness,” called out the count hastily, would 
you defame my father even in his grave? ” 

Have I pronounced your father’s name?” asked the 
Elector, with dignity. Is it not rather you who asperse your 
late father’s fame by referring to him what I said with regard 
to bribery? ” 

The count cast down his eyes and was silent. Frederick 
William now turned by a slow movement of the head to Count 
Martinitz. 

Sir Count,” he said gravely and ceremoniously, I in- 
terrupted you in your presentation. Continue it, and intro- 
duce this gentleman to me. I must know in what capacity 
he dares return to my dominions and intrude upon my pres- 
ence.” 

Your Electoral Highness, I have the honor of presenting 
to you the count of the empire, Adolphus J ohn von Schwarz- 
enherg, imperial privy counselor and chamberlain, also attache 
and associate of the Emperor’s ambassador extraordinary, fur- 
nished with a safe conduct signed by the Emperor himself.” 
well knew,” cried the Elector, ^Hhat this gentleman 


438 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


had made sure of his own safety before venturing near me. 
That was the reason of my question. As imperial officer and 
chamberlain he is secure against my just wrath, and his 
Majesty’s safe conduct a glorious wall behind which to hide 
himself. Let him profit by it; I shall not see him behind the 
wall, but instead only a piece of white paper, on which his 
Imperial Majesty has inscribed his name, and accordingly I 
shall respect this piece of paper, which otherwise I would tear 
in twain.” 

“ Your highness! ” cried Count Schwarzenherg — your 
highness, I ” 

“ Count von Martinitz,” interposed the Elector haughtily, 

I empower you to say to the ambassador extraordinary of 
his Imperial Majesty, that I give him leave to deliver the Em- 
peror’s message to me and to impart to me his Majesty’s de- 
sires.” 

Most respected lord and Elector,” said Dr. Gehhard with 
solemnity, his Majesty the Emperor Ferdinand sends me 
to your highness in the assured hope that in your justice and 
exalted wisdom your grace will he superior to all personal 
enmities, and not visit upon the son faults, , perhaps uninten- 
tional, committed against you by the father.” 

Of what father and son do you speak, sir? ” asked the 
Elector. 

Of the father who for twenty years was the honored 
counselor and friend of Elector George William, who, faith- 
ful even beyond the tomb, forsook the earth no longer tenanted 
by his lord and Elector. Of the son who has committed no 
crime except that of being his father’s heir, and not allowing 
his patrimony to he diminished and torn from him. For this 
son, in the Emperor’s name, I would plead with your Electoral 
Highness for grace and favor, beseeching you not to deprive 
him of his rights, but to restore to him what belongs to him.” ^ 

Tell me. Dr. Gehhard,” asked the Elector, what those 
rights are of which I have deprived him, according to his 
Majesty’s opinion, and what things I have taken from him 
which belong to him? ” 

Already in his father’s lifetime Count John Adolphus 
Schwarzenherg was elected his coadjutor in the Order of St. 


A SECRET AUDIENCE. 


439 


John, therefore on his father’s demise he had a right to the 
vacant dignity of grand master, and yet this has not been 
accorded him by your highness. As his father’s heir. Count 
John Adolphus received all his father’s property, and entered 
into possession of it. Yet this your highness did not allow 
him uncontested, and withheld what was his. Nay, your high- 
ness even instituted a criminal process against the young 
count, his father’s heir. This last proceeding is especially 
distasteful and annoying to his Majesty; the Emperor wishes 
above all things that your highness withdraw this criminal 
suit, referring it to the imperial court at Vienna, and that 
you again receive Count John into favor.” * 

Truly his Imperial Majesty asks and requires a great 
deal of me,” cried Frederick William, with flashing eyes and 
cheeks flushed with anger. More than a prince dare give, 
who has to act not merely in subjection and dependence, hut 
as Sovereign of his people. It seems to me as if no one had 
cause to interfere in this affair of Count Adolphus Schwarz- 
enberg, for it concerns the interior interests of my realm. 
Within the limits of my own country I alone am lord and 
ruler, and only one lord there is, before whom I bow, and 
whom I recognize as my superior — the law! Law is prop- 
erly supreme witliin the Brandenburg provinces, and shall 
and must reign over high and low! But my favor, sir, my 
favor, can only flow spontaneously from within, and can not 
be arbitrarily bestowed even at an Emperor’s behest. I have 
not withdrawn my favor from Count Adolphus Schwarzen- 
berg, for he never possessed it. Law and right alone must 
decide for or against him. Many of my subjects have brought 
accusations against him, and for these I am pledged to pro- 
cure justice at the hands of the courts of justice. What was 
done in my lands must be also judged in my lands, else my 
subjects might be wounded in their sense of right; and to 
assign this suit to the imperial court at Vienna would be in 
the highest degree derogatory to the Electoral power and juris- 
diction. I can not therefore gratify his Imperial Majesty in 
this wish.f As concerns his right to the place of grand master, 
* See von Orlich, History of Prussia, vol. i, p. 61. 
f The Elector’s own words. 


440 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


that appointment belongs not to me, but to the members of 
the order. They, however, will not elect the young count, 
and I can not compel them to do so. Lastly, as regards the 
estates claimed by the heir of the Stadtholder in the Mark, 
his title to them is wanting, and, moreover, there are no 
accounts to prove that the money for which the estates were 
mortgaged was ever used by the Stadtholder for my father’s 
benefit. Besides, even if such contracts existed, they were 
entered into without the consent of the States, and conse- 
quently by the laws of the land were null and void. This is 
the reply I have to make to the imperial envoy, of which I 
can alter and abate nothing, however I may deplore any ap- 
parent disrespect to his Imperial Majesty’s wishes. Return 
to Vienna, Dr. Gebhard, return with your associate and 
attache, and repeat to the Emperor what I have said to you. 
You are dismissed, gentlemen.” 

‘^Your Electoral Highness will pardon me for venturing 
to add one more word,” said Count Martinitz, “ but I am em- 
powered to do so by the imperial order. The Emperor Ferdi- 
nand commisioned me in his own handwriting, in case that 
your highness refused to accede to the demands made by Dr. 
Gebhard 

Demands? ” broke in the Elector. I did not hear Dr. 
Gebhard make use of any such term. Mention was made only 
of imperial wishes and requests. You mean that in case I 

do not grant Dr. Gebhard’s requests Proceed, Count 

Martinitz.” 

I am in that case commissioned to desire your highness 
in the Emperor’s name to grant a private audience to the 
attache of the imperial embassy, the Emperor’s privy coun- 
selor and chamberlain. Count Adolphus von Schwarzenberg, 
as he wishes to make an important and confidential communi- 
cation to your highness.” 

Frederick William’s piercing eyes were fixed with a ques- 
tioning expression upon the count’s face, whose eyes returned 
the look with a bold and steady gaze. 

^^You presume greatly upon the respect I owe the Em- 
peror,” said the Elector after a pause. I have wished to re- 
gard you hitherto merely as a piece of paper hallowed by the 


A SECRET AUDIENCE. 


441 


Emperor’s superscription. But now you voluntarily step 
forth from behind the protecting paper, and present yourself 
to me as a man, a self-dependent individual, who is responsible 
for his words and actions. Consider well what you risk, sir, 
and take my advice: retreat, while yet there is time! Ask me 
not to look upon you as you actually are, but be content, inas- 
much as in you I respect the Emperor’s safe conduct. Re- 
flect once again, and then speak! ” 

Your Electoral Highness,” said the count after a pause, 
the Emperor has condescended to request a secret audience 
for me of your grace. I entreat your highness to grant it 
to me.” 

^^You desire it? Be it so, then!” cried the Elector. 
‘"You, gentlemen. Count von Martinitz and Dr. Gebhard, 
are dismissed. Count Schwarzenberg may remain. For the 
Emperor’s sake I am ready to grant him the secret audience. 
Take your leave, gentlemen! Your audience is at an end! ” 
The two gentlemen bowed low and withdrew. The Elector 
followed them with his eyes until the door closed behind them. 
Then he slowly turned his head toward Count Schwarzen- 
berg. 

Speak now,” he ordered coldly and severely. Say 
what you have to say, hut weigh well each word, and take 
heed of rousing my wrath, for I tell you the measure of my 
patience and forbearance is well-nigh exhausted! What 
would you have of me ? What do you want ? ” 

Justice, your highness, justice! Enter into no contest 
with me! Take not away from me the estates given in pledge 
by the Elector George William to my father, which have not 
yet been redeemed. Acknowledge me as the Grand Master 
of the Knights of St. John, graciously nominate me Stadt- 
holder in the Mark, and I swear to you that I shall be your 
faithful and devoted servant, your mediator with Emperor 
and empire! You see, your highness, I ask for nothing but 
justice! ” 

Justice! ” repeated Frederick William, while with flash- 
ing eyes he approached one step nearer the count. Beware 
of reminding me that I have not exercised justice toward you! 
Ask it not, for then I must needs summon a guard and have 


442 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


you arrested! Then must I call a court-martial, have you 
tried, and see you mount the scaffold! ” 

The scaffold! exclaimed the count, turning pale. But 
then the Emperor would call you to account for this deed of 
violence, and 

“Deed of violence, you call it?” interposed the Elector. 
“ You are mistaken, sir; it would only be a merited punish- 
ment! You deserve this punishment, not on account of any- 
thing done by your father, although in sooth you bore a full 
share in his deeds, but on account of your own crime.” 

“ Crime, your highness? ” 

“ Yes, count, crime! You are a conspirator, a rebel! You 
incited my officers to revolt, entangled them in a conspiracy, 
and when I would have brought you to judgment you fled 
like a cowardly woman.” 

“Your highness!” screamed the count, “I beseech you, 
weigh your words, provoke me not too much! Otherwise I 
might forget the respect due you.” 

“ And if you should venture, I have ample means of lead- 
ing you hack to the proper bounds, of forcing you to respect 
me, to fall down in the dust, and plead for pardon! Do you 
know what you are? Do you know what you were? ” 

“ What I was I know,” cried the count. “ I was the 
favored lover of your sister. Princess Charlotte Louise! ” 

“Ah! Now at last you drop your mask, now you show 
your real face. The face of a slanderer, a liar! For you utter 
a falsehood. You calumniate the virtue of a noble lady, and 
boast of a favor you never received.” 

“ I speak the truth, your highness, and am in a condition 
to prove it. Princess Charlotte Louise gave me her favor, 
and went further than was seemly for a modest maiden. She 
volunteered to grant me a rendezvous impelled by ardent 
love.” 

“ That is not true.” 

“It is true, sir, and I can prove it! I have the writing 
with me, in which your sister invites me to a rendezvous 
in the castle at Berlin. She wrote it with her own hand, 
and signed it with her name. Dntil now, no one has known 
the secret, and no one shall know it if we can agree.” 


A SECRET AUDIENCE. 


443 


We agree? ” 

‘‘Yes, yonr highness, we! A^oiir sister’s letter is well 
worth what I ask. I demand nothing but my rights. Leave 
me my estates, acknowledge me as grand master, appoint me 
my father’s successor, give me the hand of Princess Char- 
lotte Louise.” 

“ My sister’s hand to you? ” 

“ To me, for I have a right to that hand. The Princess 
engaged herself to me, and granted me favors.” 

“ Wretched man, to boast of them! ” interrupted the 
Elector. 

“ She appointed a meeting with me to take place by night,” 
continued the count quietly. “ Your honor would be de- 
stroyed if any one knew of this. Let me keep it intact! Give 
me your sister’s hand! For I tell you if you do not the world 
shall hear of this faux pas on the part of the Princess. I shall 
publicly expose the letter she wrote to me, and a laugh of scorn 
will pursue both you and her through the whole of Germany! 
Give me your sister’s hand! ” 

“ Were you the Emperor himself I would not give her 
to you. And if you were in a position to defame my whole 
house, I would not give her to you! And were my sister to 
fall at my feet weeping at my refusal, I would not give her 
to you! Yes, and if I knew that my lands and wealth would 
be doubled by this marriage, I would never give my sister to 
you! I asked you just now if you knew what you were and 
what you are. To the first question you replied that you were 
my sister’s lover. Yow I will tell you what you are: you are 
the son of a poisoner and a murderer! ” 

“ Sir! ” screamed the count, bounding forward in fury and 
with a sudden movement drawing his dagger from its sheath 
— “ sir, you assail my father in his grave, I will defend him! 
You owe me satisfaction for this insult! It is not the Elector 
who stands before me, but a man who has wounded my honor, 
and I demand satisfaction. You dare not refuse it, or ” 

“ Or you will complete your father’s work, will you? Will 
hire murderers to do what you dare not attempt yourself? 
Oh, you may very probably find a second Gabriel Metzel, 
whom you may goad on to crime, profiting by his agony and dis- 
29 


444 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


tress of mind to change a thoughtless deceiver into a poisoner! 
Do not stare at me in such amazement, as if you understood 
not my words! You know Gabriel Metzel well, and your 
dagger would not have fallen from your hand if your con- 
science had not struck it down! ” 

I know nothing of Gabriel Yietzel! ” cried the count, 
I only know that you have called my fafher a murderer 
and 

And, I did wrong in this, for certainly the murderous 
deed miscarried! I live! And he was forced to die. Do 
you know of what your father died? ’’ 

“ Of grief, and the humiliations which you prepared for 
him ! ” 

No, he died of remorse. A stroke, they say, put an end 
to his life. Yes, it was conscience that smote him to the 
earth. Gabriel Nietzel stood before him and reminded him of 
his deeds, demanding of him his wife, whom your father mur- 
dered because she saved my life! 

Horrible! ” muttered the count, with sunken head and 
downcast eyes. 

^^Yes, horrible!” repeated the Elector, Gabriel Met- 
zel was the avenging sword sent from on high for your father’s 
punishment. He, the unhappy one, himself confessed his 
crime to me, and I have forgiven him. I will forgive your 
father also, for he stands before a higher tribunal, and He 
who tries the heart, will reward him according to his deeds. 
But I am your judge, and 5^our deeds accuse you before me! 
I could have you arrested and tried, and, believe me, I would 
do so, despite the imperial safe conduct, behind which you 
have ensconced yourself, but I honor in you the memory of 
my father, who loved yours, and would not have the world 
discover how shamefully the magnanimous heart of George 
William was deceived. Regarding the property you claim 
from me, let the law decide; regarding the military title you 
aspire to, let the knights of the order decide; but regarding 
the accusation which you bring against my sister, and the 
olfer you make me on her account, the Princess alone is the 
proper person to consult. You shall speak with her this very 
hour, for I would not have your vain heart puffed up with the 


A SECRET AUDIENCE. 


445 


idea that the Princess loves you, and that it is only my tyranny 
which separates you from her. No, you shall speak with the 
Princess herself, and she shall decide the question between 
you. And that you may not suppose that I have influenced 
my sister, you shall speak to her before I communicate with 
her myself.” 

He took the handbell and rang; a page appeared. Re- 
quest her Electoral Grace the Princess Charlotte Louise to 
have the kindness to come to me.” 

Your Electoral Grace,” said the page, Colonel von 
Burgsdorf has just come into the antechamber, and urgently 
insists upon my announcing him to your grace.” 

Admit him and call the Princess. When the gracious 
young lady has entered the antechamber, let me know. Ad- 
mit the colonel.” 

^^Here I am, your highness, here I am!” cried Conrad 
von Burgsdorf, coming in with hasty steps. I am just from 

Berlin, and bring my dearest lord good news, and But 

what is that? ” interrupted he, fixing his lively gray eyes upon 
Count Sehwarzenherg, who, pale and visibly disconcerted, 
had withdrawn into one of the window niches. 

For one moment Burgsdorf stood still, as if bewildered by 
the unexpected sight, then he sprang forward like a tiger, 
and laid his hands like iron claws upon the count’s shoulders. 

^^In the name of the Elector and the law, I arrest you 
Count Sehwarzenherg! ” he shrieked. 

Let him go, Burgsdorf,” commanded Frederick William. 

No, gracious sir,” cried Burgsdorf, I can not, must not 
let him go. I must hold fast to my prisoner until I have put 
him in a safe prison. If I take my hands off him, he will surely 
find some mousehole to creep through. I know the fine gen- 
tleman, and have had experience of his mouselike nature. I 
thought I had him safe at Berlin, imprisoned in his own palace, 
and sentinels stationed everywhere. A man could not have 
escaped, hut a mouse can find a hole to retire to almost any- 
where. Master Mousy here slipped off through an under- 
ground passage. Fortunately I had stationed a couple of 
spies in front of the park, and one of them came to inform 
me that they had seen two suspicious personages issue from 


446 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


the park, while the other dogged their footsteps. I flew to 
horse, and,, thinking that the young count would make for 
Spandow, raced with my men to the Spandow Gate. Exactly, 
they had just fled on before. We gave them chase. Huzza! 
that was a hunt! Already I thought I had the fugitives within 
my reach, and stretched out my hand to grasp them, when 
they galloped into the fortress, the gate was shut, and I stood 
baffled on the outside, and had my mortification increased 
by hearing Colonel Rochow’s mocks and jeers from the wall 
above. And now when I can take my revenge, when I at last 
have my prisoner trapped and caught, now, your highness 
commands me to let him go. Ho, your highness, it is impos- 
sible; for trust me, as soon as I let him go he will find his 
way to some mousehole. I arrest you in the name of the 
Elector and the law. Count John Adolphus von Schwarzen- 
herg! ” 

Burgsdorf ! cried the Elector in a commanding tone, 
once more, I command you to let him go, and come here. 
Obey without delay! ” 

The colonel muttered between his teeth a few wild words 
of wrath, but released the count, and with bowed head and 
chagrined air slunk toward the Elector. 

You treat me like a well-trained pointer, your high- 
ness! ” he growled. You whistle for me, and I drop the prey 
which you would not have me keep.” 

^^You do yourself too much honor, old Burgsdorf,” said 
the Elector, smiling. A well-trained pointer does not follow 
a false scent, and that was what you were doing just now. 
Did you expect to find a fugitive in your master’s cabinet? 
You thought that this was Count John Adolphus Schwarzen- 
berg, whom I was compelled to arraign as a criminal, and 
who, in his consciousness of guilt, took refuge from trial in 
flight. Look closely at what is in the window niche and 
acknowledge that you were mistaken, and that it is not Count 
Adolphus Schwarzenberg.” 

Colonel Burgsdorf, perfectly bewildered, gazed with wide- 
open eyes first on the Elector and then on the count, who re- 
turned his stare with a scornful smile. 

Most gracious sir,” he then cried, my head is not clear 


A SECRET AUDIENCE. 447 

enough to discern your meaning, and I stick to it: that is 
Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg, my escaped prisoner.” 

And I repeat it, you are mistaken, your old eyes deceive 
you! Look once more right sharply and closely, and you will 
perceive your error and comprehend that this is not Count 
Adolphus Schwarzenberg, to whom I could never have granted 
an audience in my cabinet. Only look closer and you will see, 
old Burgsdorf, that there is nought in the window niche hut a 
great sheet of parchment, inscribed with manifold characters, 
furnished with the seal of the empire, and signed by the Em- 
peror Ferdinand’s own hand. I know that you do not read 
with ease, and therefore will tell you what is marked on this 
parchment, and what it means. It means a safe conduct, and 
the Emperor himself has written upon it that this parchment 
must he held in honor and sacred from all attack.” 

‘‘ Ah! ” cried the colonel — ah! I begin to understand 
now.” 

“Well truly that is a fortunate circumstance,” said the 
Elector, smiling. 

“Yes, your highness,” repeated Burgsdorf, “I begin to 
understand. Let me examine the thing narrowly once 
again.” 

He covered his eyes with his hand, as if he were blinded by 
a ray of light, and again stared at the window niche. 

“ Yes, indeed,” he said slowly — “ yes, I see it quite plainly 
and distinctly now. Yes, that is no man, hut a veritable piece 
of parchment, and I recognize, too, the imperial seal and the 
Emperor’s handwriting. Where were my eyes that I did not 
see it from the first, and what a stupid fool I was to suppose 
that I saw a man there! What misfortune would have ensued 
if I had defaced the Emperor’s handwriting or broken the 

seal, perhaps! ” . , . . 

“ It would have been a wrong done to Imperial Majesty 
itself,” smiled the Elector, “and might have brought me 
under the ban of the empire, or perhaps produced a war.” ^ 

“ Good heavens! a war about an ass’s hide,” exclaimed 
Burgsdorf, with an expression of horror. 

“Surely, your highness,” shrieked the count, stepping 
forth from his place of retirement, pale and trembling with 


44:8 the heir to the throne. 

passion, you can not ask me any longer to submit in silence 
to such gross insults.’^ 

Gracious sir,” asked Burgsdorf, “ may the ass’s hide 
speak? May a piece of parchment, merely because hallowed 
by the Emperor’s signature, veuture to leave its place and 
threaten? ” 

Hush, Burgsdorf! And you, sir, step back into your re- 
cess, stay in the place pointed out to you, and wait.” 

Learn to wait! ” cried Burgsdorf. Oh, gracious sir, 
that is the very window niche in which I was once forced to 
stand in order to learn to wait. I thank you, gracious sir, for 
in this hour you give me my revenge. How it is for my enemy 
to learn; and I beseech Your Grace to give me leave to open 
my budget from Berlin. The parchment must hear it and 
learn. Oh, I know how it feels to have to listen in silence 
to have to learn to wait! ” 

Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf,” said the Elector with 
majesty, “you are here to bring me tidings from Berlin. 
Speak out and be assured that no one will venture to in- 
terrupt you. In the first place, have you executed my 
orders?” 

“Yes, gracious sir, according to the best of my abilities 
and the means at my disposal.” 

“As their superior officer, have you required an oath of 
allegiance to me from the commandants and garrisons of 
the forts? ” 

“ I sent your orders everywhere, requiring the comman- 
dants to swear their men into service in your name, and to 
come to Berlin that I might administer the same oath to them- 
selves.” 

“And have they done so? Have my officers and troops 
sworn to serve me faithfully? ” 

“ A few commandants have done so, but Kracht, Eochow, 
and Goldacker have refused, declaring that they would rather 
blow their fortresses up than swear fealty to the Elector. 
Hereupon I forthwith had the commandant of Berlin, Colo- 
nel von Kracht, arrested, and would have proceeded in like 
manner against the Commandants von Eochow and von Gold- 
acker, but the traitors got wind of my intentions. Goldacker 


A SECRET AUDIENCE. 


449 


left Brandenburg with thirty horse, and, report says, went 
over to the Imperialists. Colonel von Rochow, however, in 
his fortress assumed a warlike attitude, and gave out that 
he was ready to do battle with the enemy to the death. Mean- 
while Margrave Ernest conferred with him under a flag of 
truce, and the committee of investigation at Berlin diligently 
prosecuted their labors, and brought to light heinous offenses 
committed by the two colonels and Count John Adolphus 
von Schwarzenberg.” 

‘‘Do you know the particulars? The colonels were ac- 
cused of cheating and embezzlement, were they not? ” 

“ Yes,” said Burgsdorf with a little embarrassment, “ the 
question regards the payment of the troops enlisted, for which 
the colonels received money, and and ” 

“ And yet the men were not enlisted,” said the Elector, 
with an imperceptible smile. “ Had they done nothing more 
than this, I would have pardoned them; if they had shown 
themselves in other respects true and faithful, and repented 
of their folly.” 

“ But this they have by no means done! ” cried Burgsdorf 
eagerly. “ They have rather shown themselves to be obstinate 
and untoward. Goldacker has been extorting bonds in Eiirs- 
tenwald, plundering whole villages, and putting the magis- 
trates in chains, because they would not say that Goldacker 
gave the press money to the young fellows of the village, al- 
though these had not made their appearance. Colonel von 
Rochow put the clerk of his muster roll in irons, and had him 
condemned to the gallows by a court-martial, because the poor 
fellow would not bear false witness and swear that the colonel 
had made payments to him. When the Stadtholder demanded 
the clerk’s release. Colonel von Rochow insolently refused to 
give him up, and now the margrave ordered me to arrest him. 
But von Rochow did as his accomplices — he fled and made 
his escape to the Imperialists.” 

“ Let the Imperialists keep Goldacker and Rochow,” said 
the Elector. “ I would have them know that I from this time 
forth cheerfully resign their services, and yield them up with 
good grace to the Emperor and empire. With these two, there- 
fore, we have done. Tell me now, how the Schwarzenberg 


4:50 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


affair stands. We gave orders that in due time the papers 
found in the palace of the deceased count should he sealed 
and handed over to the committee of investigation. Was this 
done, and has it perhaps been made evident from the examina- 
tion of the papers, that the son of the Stadtholder was inno- 
cent of complicity in the intrigues of his father and friends, 
and been falsely accused by us? 

On the contrary, your highness, it was proved that 
Count John Adolphus had conspired, not merely with the 
rebellious officers, but with other persons not subjects of your 
highness. Among the papers of the old count was found the 
young gentleman’s secret correspondence. It was in cipher, it 
is true, but there are very learned men on the committee of 
investigation, and they discovered the key, and were able to 
read the letters. Oh, most gracious sir, all your faithful 
servants were shamefully slandered and calumniated in these 
letters. Your highness even was not spared, and the young 
gentleman expressly wrote that he would do all he possibly 
could to effect the downfall of the Elector Frederick William. 
Of the States, he said that they were almost all friends of the 
Swedes and foes of the Emperor, and, above all, he represented 
me, Conrad von Burgsdorf, as a bitter enemy to the Emperor, 
and said that on that account all orders came to me. But 
the States will complain to the Emperor that the rebellious 
slanderer. Count Schwarzenberg, has blackened them so 
abominably and accused them of high treason.” 

They can do so,” said the Elector — they can call the 
slanderer to account, and you can do so too, Burgsdorf, if it 
seems necessary to you.” 

“ But it does not seem at all necessary to me, your high- 
ness,” cried the colonel. I have only one master, yourself, 
and if I had injured your grace I should have been guilty of 
high treason. Henceforth I shall be nothing but the most 
devoted and diligent servant of my dear young lord and 
Elector, and I care very little about Schwarzenberg’s having 
aspersed me to the Emperor if I am only blessed with your 
favor.” 

I have recognized you as a true and faithful servant,” 
said the Elector kindly, and I am no ingrate. You shall ex- 


A SECRET AUDIENCE. 


451 


perience this hereafter, for I shall find means to reward my 
old friend as he deserves! ” 

“ Your highness, yon have rewarded me already,” cried 
Burgsdorf — “ yon have called me yonr friend, my Elector, 
and I thank yon ont of a fnll heart.” 

The Elector nodded. “ In time all the world shall learn 
that I honor and esteem yon as my friend,” he said. But 
now tell me, what progress has been made in quieting the 
refractory soldiery in the Mark? Have you begun that dif- 
ficult task? ” 

We have begun, your highness, and will also end, al- 
though at first there was much insubordination and mutiny, 
and although the cart had been driven so deep into the mire 
that we could not have drawn it out altogether without great 
difficulty, even if there had been more of us.” 

The door of the antechamber opened, and the page made 
his appearance. 

“ In accordance with your highness’s request, the Princess 
has entered the antechamber.” 

Beg the young lady to wait a moment. I will come 
directly to conduct her grace into my cabinet.” 

Burgsdorf,” said the Elector, turning to the colonel,^ go 
up now', and pay your respects to my mother. You can tell her 
what is going on at Berlin. Her grace will hear you gladly, for 
she takes great interest in the cities of Berlin and Cologne.” 

Yery curious stories I can tell the Electress, since your 
highness accords me that permission! ” cried the colonel. 
“ Many thrilling affairs have happened, and ” 

Go now, my friend,” said the Elector, pointing to the 
door through which Burgsdorf had entered. Then he crossed 
over to the opposite end of the apartment himself and opened 
the door of the inner room. 


452 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


XI. — Meeting and Parting. 

“ Be kind enough to come in, dear sister,” said the Elector, 
standing in the doorway and smilingly greeting the Princess, 
who now entered the apartment. 

I have come at your bidding, Frederick,” said the Prin- 
cess, accepting her brother’s proffered hand, and looking up 
at him with a sweet, affectionate smile. 

In the window niche stood John Adolphus Schwarzenherg, 
and the fires of passion and resentment burned in the glance 
which he fixed upon the Princess, whom he now saw for the 
first time after a lapse of three years. How much pain and 
mortification had he not suffered during these three years on 
her account? The only change wrought in the Princess by 
the flight of time was a more perfect development of beauty 
and of grace of carriage. The count heaved a deep, painful 
sigh, and the rage of despair took possession of his soul at the 
sight of that noble, tranquil countenance. 

“ She has not suffered,” he said to himself. She never 
loved me, and will now despise me! ” 

Forgive me, sister, for troubling you to come to me,” said 
Frederick William, nodding affectionately to the Princess. I 
ought indeed to have come to you, hut I wished to speak with 
you on a matter strictly confidential, which I did not wish 
our mother and sister to know anything about.” 

it really a secret, then?” asked Charlotte Louise — 
^^no had secret, I hope, Frederick?” 

“ It at least touches very grave matters,” replied the 
Elector. Look yonder at that window niche.” 

The Princess turned quickly, and looked in the direction 
indicated. A low scream escaped her lips, and she sank trem- 
bling upon a seat. 

Adolphus! ” murmured her quivering lips. 

This single utterance spoke more eloquently to both men 
than the most elaborate arrangement of sentences could have 
done. It told them that years of separation had not estranged 
the Princess from Count Schwarzenherg; that her heart still 
called him by the familiar name accorded him by love; that 


MEETING AND PARTING. 


453 


with the count, Charlotte Louise was not the proud Princess, 
but only the humble, loving maiden. The Elector understood 
this, and a cloud overshadowed his brow. 

The count understood it, too, and his dark countenance 
brightened. With uplifted head he rushed from the window 
niche to the Princess, and, kneeling before her, seized her 
hand to press it to his lips. But this touching of her hand 
seemed to restore to the Princess her strength and self- 
possession. By a hasty movement she released her hand and 
rose. 

Brother,” she said, is it customary to greet princesses 
in this style ? Be pleased to tell me, for you know I have been 
but little in the world, and am, therefore, but little conversant 
with its forms.” 

No, Louise, it is not customary,” replied Frederick Wil- 
liam, breathing more freely; ^‘but Count Schwarzenberg 
seems to suppose, that as your favored lover he need not re- 
gard the laws of ceremony.” 

As my favored lover? ” asked the Princess, a blush sud- 
denly suffusing her brow and neck, while her blue eyes, usu- 
ally so soft, sparkled with indignation. “ Did I hear aright? 
Did you actually say that to me, brother, to your sister? Did 
you call this or any other man my favored lover? ” 

I only repeated the words made use of by Count John 
Adolphus von Schwarzenberg in suing for your hand, sister. 
This gentleman affirms that you have granted him more favor 
than was seemly in a modest maiden. And when I doubted 
it he replied that he could prove it, for he possessed a note, 
written with your own hand, in which you invited him to a 
rendezvous by night.” 

He said that! ” cried the Princess. He said that, and 
you did not kill him on the spot ? ” 

I did not kill him,” answered the Elector gravely and 
solemnly, because no one should die for the truth. And 
he maintains that he speaks the truth: that by means of this 
letter of yours he can dishonor you and my house in the eyes 
of the whole world. Say then, Louise, is it true; does he actu- 
ally possess such a letter? ” 

Charlotte Louise shuddered and tottered backward. 


454 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


Yes! ’’ she breathed — yes, he speaks the truth — he does 
possess such a letter! ” 

No! ” cried the count, he did not speak the truth! Oh, 
forgive me. Princess, forgive me this slander, which my lips 
uttered, uttered in the delirium of pain, love, and despair! 
I lied. Princess, you never wrote to me, never! I said that 
in order to force your brother to give me your hand, because 
I love you, Princess, you know not how dearly! Ah! you little 
imagine with what fervor of devotion my soul clung to you, 
and what you did that time when you mocked and betrayed 
me, treating me like a despised beggar! That hour wrought 
a change in my whole nature! The most sacred blossoms of 
my love had been crushed by you, and I trampled them under 
foot and strove to bury my despair in mirth and pleasure. I 
did not succeed. The sacred old song of the buried love was 
forever making itself heard in low, sweet strains. I would 
not listen, I tried to drown it. I became a conspirator, a rebel, 
for I longed to take vengeance upon you and your house. Fate 
was against me; my revenge constituting my punishment. 
I must flee, I must leave as a fugitive the land in which you 
live. The Emperor received me graciously, giving me rank 
and titles, and bestowing upon me marks of favor and regard, 
thus opening to the ambitious heart a career of fame, dignity, 
and honor. All was in vain, though. I felt too late that love, 
not ambition, had urged me into the dangerous paths of in- 
surrection and revolt. I could not forget you. Like a radiant 
star, you ever shone upon the midnight darkness of my soul. 
I must see you again, to obtain from your own lips my sen- 
tence of pardon or condemnation. I despised all danger, even 
the order of arrest issued against me, and obtained the Em- 
peror’s leave to accompany his ambassador here. I came and 
suffered the severest mortification that a man can suffer. I 
subjected myself to your brother’s scorn and contempt. Then 
at last my heart rebelled, and when he scornfully refused your 
hand to me, I claimed it as my right, by virtue of the love 
you once vowed to me. The Elector disputed your love for 
me, and then, in the rage of my heart, I boasted of a favor 
which I never received, boasted of having received from you 
a letter, and an invitation to a rendezvous. Oh, forgive the 


MEETING AND PARTING. 


455 


madman who kneels here at your feet and suffers the agony 
of death. He has no right to claim anything, he only implores 
from you an act of grace! ” 

While the count thus spoke in passionate excitement, the 
Elector had slowly retired, and, standing apart with folded 
arms, gazed upon the couple with melancholy eyes. In the 
beginning the Princess had sunk upon a chair, with bowed 
head and hanging arms, pale as a drooping lily. But the 
glowing words which fell upon her ear seemed to find an echo, 
a painful echo, in her heart. Slowly she raised her head, and 
breathlessly listened to his words, while the color once more 
mounted to her cheek. When the count stopped, she slowly 
rose and proudly and indignantly drew herself erect. 

You speak falsely now. Count Schwarzenberg,’’ she said, 
for what you told my brother was true. Yes, three years 
ago, in the childish folly of my heart, I granted you a favor 
unseemly for a modest maiden. Yes, I wrote you a note with 
my own hand, inviting you to a rendezvous in the castle at 
nine o’clock in the evening. Brother, I confess this, although 
I know that I am thereby forever forfeiting your esteem. 
But this man has accused me, and I honor the past of my heart, 
while I acknowledge the fault of which he accuses me. Yes, 
I have loved him, warmly, inexpressibly, and have wept and 
lamented him in a manner little becoming a princess, but in 
my love I was only a poor simple maiden, who wanted noth- 
ing in the whole world but his heart. Well I know that I 
sinned grievously against my mother and the laws of virtue 
and propriety in carrying on a clandestine love affair, in allow- 
ing my heart to be deceived by his ardent protestations of love 
and even in my delusion going so far as to grant him a rendez- 
vous — nay, even to ask for one.” 

“ Did you really do that, sister? ” 

“ I did, and have repented it for three long years. That 
I confess this, that 1 reveal my secret, should prove to you 
that I now speak the truth. And therefore you will believe 
me, Frederick William, when I affirm that this is the only 
favor of which the count can boast. I have to blush before 
you, but not before him.” 

^^Hot before me either, Louise,” said the Elector. 


456 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


know love, and in my own heart have battled with all its follies 
and illusions. I know what you suffer, by remembering my 
own experiences. It is a bitter grief to be obliged to admit 
that you have wasted the holiest feelings of your heart upon 
an unworthy object.” 

Yes indeed, it is a hitter grief,” sighed the Princess. 

0 Princess! spare yourself this grief! ” cried the count, 
still kneeling before her. “ You have freely owned that you 
love me. Why, then, will you turn away from me? Accept 
me as your husband, and I will love you, serve you, obey you, 
ask nothing but the privilege of looking upon you, and basking 
in your presence.” 

She gave him a long, cold look. “ And if I decline your 
hand, you will revenge yourself, will you not, by displaying 
my note to the Emperor and the whole world, you will defame 
me and all my house? Was not that your threat? ” 

1 spoke in frenzy, in despair. But you shall see that I 
will ask nothing from you for fear, hut all for love. See, here 
is the note. I have hitherto preserved it as my most precious 
jewel; my father bade me do so, and told me that this paper 
might save me in the hour of greatest peril. This hour is now 
at hand, hut I will not have it save me. Here is the note; I 
offer it to you. Take it, tear it up, and then decide! ” 

With outstretched hands he held out the paper, hut she 
took it not, and quickly stepped back. 

Keep the paper,” she said. “ Why should I ask whether 
you will turn it into a weapon against me? I will accept no 
favor or advantage from you. Only let it he known at the 
imperial court, to the whole world, that I loved you; 
show this paper everywhere, and all will turn from you, all 
women will despise you, and all men blush for the traitor to 
love! ” 

^^Ko one shall despise me, no one shall turn from me! ” 
cried the count, springing to his feet. With trembling hands 
he tore the paper into little hits, and threw them on the 
floor. 

There lies the secret. Princess! Kow I am entirely in 
your power! Kow I have no weapon of defense. Call Burgs- 
dorf, your highness, have me arrested, if it seems good to you. 


MEETING AND PARTING. 457 

I renounce the Emperor’s safe conduct, as I just now re- 
nounced your sister’s letter.” 

We accept no act of generosity or renunciation from 
you,” replied the Elector with dignity. The Emperor’s safe 
conduct I shall respect, and as I allowed you to speak quietly 
to my sister, although you misrepresented much and put mat- 
ters in a false light, so I will allow you to depart unmolested. 
As regards the love letter, your excuse for demanding my 
sister’s hand, the fragments testify as strongly against you 
as the letter itself. My sister alone has to reply to your 
offer.” 

I have no answer to give this man, for he dare not ask 
anything more of me,” said the Princess proudly. He who 
can betray the secrets of the heart degrades himself. The man 
who boasts of a favor received is unworthy of it, and every 
woman will despise him. Hot merely now, in the hour of dan- 
ger, have you bethought yourself of my letter, Count Adol- 
phus Schwarzenherg, hut you had spoken of it previously to 
your father. You have turned a young girl’s letter into a 
political bond, which, as a cunning merchant, was to be re- 
deemed and converted into money. How you have redeemed 
it; there lies the letter! I give you for it my contempt.” 

I think you have now received my sister’s answer,” said 
the Elector, and we have nothing more to say to one another, 
for the courts must settle other subjects of dispute between 
us. Go, Count Schwarzenherg, return home to Vienna, for 
your mission is ended. You are dismissed.” 

The count answered not a word. One long glance of grief 
and rage he cast upon the Princess, who stood loftily erect 
at her brother’s side. Then, with a slight bow of salutation, 
he turned and strode through the room. 

Hot a sound interrupted the solemn silence save the count’s 
footsteps as he advanced to the door. There he once more 
paused and turned back his livid, wrathful countenance. The 
Princess still stood erect, calm, and unmoved, beside the Elec- 
tor. Schwarzenherg cast down his eyes and left the room. 
The Princess heard the door shut, and a heavy sigh escaped 
her breast. He has gone,” she murmured softly, he has 
gone; I shall never see him again.” 


4:58 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


She leaned her head upon her brother’s shoulder and wept 
bitterly. 

^‘You loved him very dearly, then?” asked the Elector 
gently, throwing his arms around her neck. 

“ Yes,” she whispered softly, “ I loved him dearly, and 
I am afraid I love him still, and will mourn for him forever. 
No one on earth has mortified me so deeply as he, and yet I 
shall never love another as I have loved him.” 

Poor child,” said Frederick William sadly, you love 
him still, although you despise him! ” 

With folded arms he walked several times to and fro, while 
his sister dropped into a chair, covered her face with her hands, 
and quietly wept. The Elector stopped in front of her and 
gently drew her hands from before her face. 

Sister,” he said tenderly, “ I will dry your tears, for I 
may do so, and in this hour of most sacred confidence not the 
shadow of an untruth shall lie between us. When you wrote 
that billet to the count three years ago he did not come to the 
rendezvous, did he ? ” 

^^No!” cried the Princess; ^^he dared to let me expect 
him in vain, to decline the interview which I had granted 
him. 0 Frederick! when I think of this I could die for very 
shame, so much do I hate him who humiliated me so deeply, 
so much do I despise myself for having incurred and merited 
this humiliation.” 

Louise,” said the Elector softly, if that is your only 
reason for hating him, then you can love him again, for this 
is probably the only fault of which he is innocent. Lift up 
3 ^our head, sister, for I can relieve you from this humiliation. 
It was Count Schwarzenberg^s wish to keep the appointment. 
He stood for two hours before a locked door seeking admis- 
sion. I, however, stood on the other side of the door, guard- 
ing it, and did not depart until he had gone away in despair.” 

^‘You, brother?” asked the Princess, whose cheeks grew 
suddenly crimson. "" You knew about it? You prevented the 
interview? ” 

“ I wanted to guard my sister against her own indiscretion; 
I wanted to preserve her from error.” 

You knew it and kept silence, magnanimously kept my 


MEETING AND PARTING. 


459 


secret from my mother? Oh, and he is innocent? He did 
not scorn and insult me? I can think of him without anger, 
without No, no; forgive me, brother, I ’’ 

“ Hear me, Louise,” said he softly. I will prove to you 
how much I have your happiness at heart, and how gladly I 
would promote it. If in spite of all that you have learned 
to-day, in spite of his mode of wooing, you still love Count 
Schwarzenherg — so love him that for his sake you can forever 
— mark well my words, forever — give up mother, brother and 
sister, home, country, yea, religion itself, sundering all the ties 
which bind you here — if you so love him that he is family, 
home, everything to you, then tell me so, sister, and I will 
overoome my repugnance and have the count recalled, will 
accept his offer, and bestow you upon him in marriage. Only 
you must choose between him and us. In that hour, when 
I join your hands, we have seen each other for the last time, 
and never will your return home he possible. But if you really 
love him, go, for well I know that love only finds its home 
in the heart of the beloved one. Choose then, sister. Will 
you follow him? Speak, I shall not reproach you — speak, 
and I will have him recalled! ” 

She flung her arms around his neck and gently laid her 
head upon his breast. No,” she said softly — “ no, do not 
call him hack. He has betrayed and desecrated love. My heart 
revolts from him and turns with deep affection to you. Thank 
you, brother, for acquainting me with the truth and taking 
that weight of humiliation from my soul. Now I shall he 
comforted, now I can hold up my head again. I am not the 
rejected, hut the rejecter. Yes, brother, I have renounced 
love and happiness. The golden morning dream is over, and 
I am awake! Let me weep, Frederick, my last tears for a lost 
love! ” 

The Elector bent over her and imprinted a kiss upon her 
brow. Weep, sister, weep,” he said softly. And if it can 
in any degree console you, know that I have wept and suffered 
as you do now.” 


SO 


460 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


XII. — The Investiture at Warsaw. 

At last all matters of dispute were settled, all difficulties 
smoothed over. King Wladislaus of Poland had declared 
himself ready to receive the oath of allegiance from his vassal 
the Elector of Brandenburg, and to invest him with the duchy 
of Prussia. Hard conditions, truly, were those imposed upon 
the young Elector, and heavy the sacrifices which the King 
and, more pressingly yet, the members of the Polish Diet re- 
quired. That the Elector should pay a yearly tribute of thirty 
thousand florins, besides a hundred thousand florins from the 
naval taxes, was a condition to which he had agreed without 
a struggle; but much severer and more humbling compliances 
he had to make. 

They wished to make him feel that the King of Poland 
was still lord paramount of Prussia, and that the Elector must 
give way to him. The nobility of Prussia were therefore to 
have the right, in all civil and difficult cases, to appeal from 
the decision of the Elector to that of the King. On the other 
liand, the Elector was not, without the King’s express per- 
mission, to occupy a neutral position with regard to any enemy 
of Poland; he was to receive the King’s commissioners when- 
ever it pleased the latter to send them to inspect the fortresses 
of Memel and Pillau. But the hardest thing was, that the 
Elector must pledge himself to protect and exalt the Roman 
Catholic worship in Prussia with all his might, and to do noth- 
ing for the further spread of the Reformed Church in Prus- 
sia. He was to build up the decaying Catholic Church at 
Kdnigsberg, and, besides that, have a new one built. The 
Catholics were to be protected in the free exercise of their 
worship, and guarded against every attack of the Protestant 
preachers. 

Hard and degrading were these conditions, but the Elector 
had accepted them. He had bowed his proud heart and con- 
strained it to be humble. Tears of indignation had stood in 
his eyes as they handed him the document on which were in- 
scribed all these conditions; his hand had trembled when he 
took the pen, but still he had appended his signature, and 


THE INVESTITURE AT WARSAW. 


401 


none but Burgsdorf had seen the tears which fell from Fred- 
erick William’s eyes upon his hand as he signed. 

Burgsdorf/’ he said, pointing to his signature, do you 
know what I have written there?” 

No, your highness, that I do not. I am not stupid enough 
to give myself much trouble deciphering the scratches of a 
pen. But I know and have read what is written upon your 
face, sir.” 

Well, and what stands written there, old friend? ” 

Most gracious sir, it is written there that you suffer now, 
but will be revenged hereafter. It says that you now in a sub- 
missive manner offer your hand to the insolent, cursed Pole, 
but that on some future day you will shake your fist in his 
face, and amply requite his haughty arrogance.” 

Well done; you have read correctly,” exclaimed the 
Elector, laughing. You have divined my most secret 
thoughts.” 

And may a good God only deign to grant me this one 
favor, that I may live long enough to see your thoughts put 
in action, gracious sir! May he preserve me from gout and 
paralysis, that I, too, may have a hand in the deeds of that 
blessed day, and strike a few well-aimed blows.” 

Well, it is to hoped that not many years will elapse ere 
the dawning of that day,” said the Elector. I shall not know 
ease or rest until it is here, and I can have my revenge. Let 
us think of this, old friend, and be meekly patient and wear 
a placid mien on our way to Warsaw, to humble ourselves. 
You know a man must sometimes swallow bitter medicine 
when he is sick and faint, and the bitterest will appear sweet 
if he drinks it in order to imbibe new life and health. My 
poor country is, indeed, sick unto death, and therefore I go 
to Warsaw to swallow a bitter pill for the health and salva- 
tion of my land. But we go on crutches, two hard crutches.” 

I know the names of those crutches, your highness,” said 
Burgsdorf. One crutch is called ^Imperial,’ the other 
‘ Polish.’ ” 

^^You have guessed correctly, old friend,” answered the 
Elector. But some day we will throw aside the crutches on 
which we must now lean, and Prussia shall be the sword which 


462 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


we shall unsheathe and draw against all our foes. I must now 
submit to having a lord over me, but the time will come when 
the Prussian black eagle will feel itself strong enough to do 
battle against the white eagle of Poland, and soar aloft on 
hold, strong wing. Once more I tell you, old friend, think 
of that, if we do go now to Warsaw! You are to accompany 
me, and when you ride into Warsaw at the head of my soldiers, 
as their colonel and chief, show a smiling visage to the fair 
Polish women and enchant them by your grace.’^ 

“ I will so enchant them, your highness,” laughed Burgs- 
dorf, that for rapture at sight of me they will not look at 
you, and not even make an attempt to win your heart.” 

“My heart, Burgsdorf?” said the Elector. “I have no 
heart, at least no personal one. My thoughts and feelings 
belong only to my country, my ambition, and my future. I 
now go to Warsaw and bow my head in the dust, that at a 
later period I may lift it up the more proudly and independ- 
ently.” 

And on the 7th of October, 1641, Elector Frederick Wil- 
liam of Brandenburg made his entry into Warsaw. At the 
head of his splendidly equipped regiment rode old Conrad von 
Burgsdorf, his broad, bloated face flushed crimson, and, as 
he stroked his long, light moustache, he bowed right and left, 
saluting the fair ladies, who looked down upon the glittering 
procession from windows hung with tapestry and decorated 
wuth flowers and ribbons. But the fair ladies took hut little 
notice of old Burgsdorf. Their bright eyes were all turned 
to the handsome young nobleman, who, quite alone, followed 
the regiment of soldiers. Behind him was seen a brilliant 
array of gentlemen in handsome uniforms; hut all this van- 
ished unnoticed. Only upon him, yon youth who rides his 
horse so proudly and so gracefully, upon him alone were all 
eyes flxed. How finely his figure was outlined in that close- 
ly fitted velvet coat, trimmed with golden “ Brandenburgs,” 
and crossed by the golden shoulder belt from which hung 
his German broadsword. How gracefully fell his long brown 
hair over his shoulders, how boldly sat upon his head the 
cocked felt hat, with its crest of black and white ostrich 
plumes! How fiery and penetrating the glance of those dark- 


THE INVESTITURE AT WARSAW. 


4G3 


blue eyes, and how sweet and captivating the smile of those 
full, fresh lips. 

Oh, King^s daughter. King’s daughter, shield your heart, 
lest it glow with love for the handsome stranger who now 
draws near, and whom they call the young Elector of Branden- 
burg! He looks not at you, he thinks not of you. But you 
— you look at him and think of him. They have told you 
that they will wed you to him, that the little Elector will 
esteem it a great honor to become the husband of a daughter 
of the King of Poland. Why, she is a princess of imperial 
blood, for her mother is an archduchess of Austria, a daughter 
of Emperor Ferdinand I! It will, indeed, be a great honor 
to the little Elector, if they bestow upon him the hand of a 
king’s daughter, an emperor’s grandchild, and happy will he 
be to be allowed to receive it, and to become great by means 
of his great connections! 

Look closely at him. Princess Hildegarde; look at him 
with your heart and soul, rejoice in his youth, beauty, and 
proud bearing, for he is to be your husband! Your father 
will do him the honor to receive him as his son-in-law, and 
the Emperor will condescendingly admit him to his relation- 
ship! See now he has approached quite near the throne 
which has been erected upon the square fronting the palace. 
On the throne sits King Wladislaus in the rich national cos- 
tume. Beside him stands his brother. Prince Casimir, while 
to the right and left on the steps of the throne stand the mag- 
nates with their insignia of rank, the bishops and prelates. 
Close behind the throne is the kingly palace, and there, upon 
a balcony hung with gold brocade, stands the Queen; to the 
right and left of her the two royal Princesses, both so lovely 
to look upon in their picturesque Polish garb, their raven 
tresses surmounted by the Polish cap with its heron’s plumes. 

Oh, King’s daughter. King’s daughter, you need not fear, 
you are so charming, so attractive; surely you will win his 
heart, and he will woo you not merely from political motives, 
but from love! 

Does he see you, and is he looking up at you? Ko, he only 
looks up at the King as he now stands at the foot of the throne, 
beside that magnificent cushion studded with emeralds and 


464 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


pearls. His knights and bodyguard range themselves to the 
right and left of the throne, and reserve a small open space 
in the midst of the broad square, which is densely thronged 
by masses of people behind the closed ranks of the soldiers. 
In this small vacant space stands he, the young Elector of 
Brandenburg! 

High is his head, radiant the glance which he now lifts 
higher than the King’s throne. Looks he at you. Princess 
Hildegarde, gazes he upon you, fair maiden of a royal line ? 

Ko, his glance mounts higher; to heaven itself he raises 
both eye and thought! He communes with God and the fore- 
fathers of his house, who once, like him, stood at the foot of 
that throne. And he vows before God and his ancestors that 
he will be the last Hohenzollern to submit to such humiliation 
and bend the knee as vassal to the Polish King. He will free 
his land and crown, and be the vassal of none but God alone! 

So swore the Elector Frederick William as he stood at the 
foot of the throne on which sat the Polish King, resplendent 
with his crown and scepter, and this oath made his counte- 
nance beam with joy and his eyes dame with energy and 
spirit. 

Kow is heard the flourish of trumpets and kettledrums, 
and the bell of every tower in Warsaw rings, for the solemn 
act begins: the Duke of Prussia is to swear allegiance to the 
King of Poland! 

Three cannon thunder from the ramparts! The bells 
grow dumb, the trumpets and drums are silent! A breath- 
less stillness pervades that spacious square. The people with 
dark, flashing eyes gaze curiously upon the heretic, the un- 
believer, who is to swear fealty to his Catholic Majesty. The 
Polish deputies look threateningly upon the bold duke, who 
dared to enter upon the government of Prussia before he had 
given his oath of allegiance; the papal nuncio turns his head 
aside with sorrowful looks, and can not bear to see a heretic, 
an apostate, invested with authority over a Catholic country. 

The King, however, smiles good-naturedly, and the ladies 
from the balcony in the rear kindly incline their heads and 
blushingly greet the young Elector, who, dofiing his plumed 
hat, gracefully salutes them. 


THE INVESTITURE AT WARSAW. 


465 


Three senators approach the Elector. One holds out to 
him the red feudal banner, which the Elector grasps firmly 
in his right hand. The second offers him the Juramentum 
fidelitatis (oath of fidelity), on which the young Prince is to lay 
his hands and swear. The third holds in his hand the parch- 
ment on which is inscribed the feudal oath. The high chan- 
cellor now descends from the steps of the throne and takes 
the parchment out of the senator’s hands. The Elector bends 
his knee upon the richly embroidered cushion, a crimson glow 
flushes his cheeks, and deep in his soul he repeats: I shall 
he the last Hohenzollern to submit to such humiliation and 
how in the dust before another Prince. I shall make my 
Prussia and Brandenburg great. I shall free them from Em- 
peror and King, and shall own no superior but God! To that 
end, 0 Lord, grant me thy blessing, and hear the vow my heart 
utters while my lips are speaking other words! ” 

The King waves his golden scepter and the lord chan- 
cellor begins with resonant voice to read off the oath of alle- 
giance couched in the Latin tongue. 

Loud and clearly the Elector speaks each word after him, 
loud and clearly his lips pronounce words of which his heart 
knows nothing. To he a submissive vassal, his lips swear — 
to fulfill faithfully and obediently all the obligations due from 
him as Duke of Prussia to the King, as is written in the oath 
of fealty subscribed by him. How full and strong is his voice, 
sounding distinctly over all the square, and yet how sweet 
and harmonious every tone! 

Oh, King’s daughter. King’s daughter, shield your heart! 
Look not down upon his lustrous eyes, heed not his voice, 
though it ring like music in your ear! Beware of loving him, 
for you know not whether his heart inclines toward you! 

God he praised! The formula of the oath is ended. The 
Elector may rise from his knees, and, as he does so, he says 
to himself: '' Never again shall this knee bend to man! Never 
again shall I endure what I have endured to-day! ” 

But his countenance betrays nothing of the emotions of 
his soul, and with a smile upon his lips he ascends the steps 
of the throne, and takes his place upon a seat at the left hand 
of the King. 


466 


. THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


And again are heard the ringing of hells and flourishing 
of trumpets, as they announce to the city of Warsaw, that the 
Elector Frederick William has just sworn allegiance to the 
King of Poland. The solemnity is over, and the King, the 
Elector, and the nobles of his realm, repair to the palace 
to partake of a banquet which has been prepared there for 
them. 

A sumptuous banquet! The tables glitter with gold and 
silver plate, around which are ranged the nobles in their strik- 
ing national costumes. The Brandenburg officers are arrayed 
in gold-laced uniforms, and between them sit the beautiful 
Polish ladies, richly adorned with flowers and sparkling gems, 
themselves the fairest flowers and their eyes the most brilliant 
gems. Between the King and Queen sits the young Elector, 
opposite him the two Princesses. 

Oh, King’s daughter, shield your heart. He talks with you, 
indeed, and smiles upon you, and sweet words flutter like 
butterflies across! Butterflies take speedy flight, sweet words 
are scattered to the wind! Nothing remains of them hut 
a painful memory! 7/ it should be so with you. King’s 
daughter! 

The Elector is no longer the humble vassal with serious 
face and melancholy mien; he is the young ruler, the hero of 
the future. His eyes glisten, his lips smile, witticisms drop 
from his mouth, his countenance beams with merriment and 
youthful joy. Not merely are the ladies delighted with him, 
hut the men also, and the royal pair are glad of heart, for well 
pleased are they to present such a husband to their amiable 
daughter. 

Not until late at night is the fHe concluded, and when 
the Elector goes home to the Brandenburg Palace, all the 
nobility attend him with torches in their hands — a long pro- 
cession of five thousand torches! Like a golden flood it 
streams through the streets of Warsaw, flashes in at all the 
windows, and inscribes on every wall in shining characters. 
The Elector of Brandenburg, Duke of Prussia, has given 
the oath of vassalage to the King of Poland! ” 

The fHe is over, hut the next morning ushers in new fes- 
tivities! To-day the Elector gives a splendid entertainment 


THE INVESTITURE AT WARSAW. 


467 


to the royal family and the chief nobility. At table the Queen 
sits on his right hand, on his left Princess Hildegarde, the 
King’s daughter. 

The Elector is cheerful and unembarrassed in manner; she 
is thoughtful, reserved, and silent. She is wont to be so lively 
and talkative in her girlish innocence. The Elector, how- 
ever, knows not that her manner is changed. His heart is 
a stranger to her, and his glances say no more to her than to 
all other pretty women! In the evening he dances with her 
at the Queen’s hall — that is to say, the Elector dances with 
the King’s daughter, but not the young man with the beau- 
tiful young girl. 

Will he not propose? The Queen hints at the great honor 
which they destine for him; the King says tenderly to him 
that he would esteem himself happy, if he could call so noble 
a young Prince his son. But the Elector understands neither 
the Queen nor the King, he is silent and does not propose. 
He is so modest and diffident — perhaps he dare not. They 
must wait awhile. If he has not declared himself on the last 
day of his visit, they must take the initiative and woo him, 
since he will not woo. 

On this last day it is the Princesses who give a hall to the 
Elector — a splendid masquerade, for which they have been 
preparing three months, arranging costumes and practicing 
dances. A half mask is to-day well chosen for the Princess 
Hildegarde, for it conceals her agitated features, her anxious 
countenance. She knows that to-day her fate is to he decided! 
She knows that at the close of this fete she is to he betrothed 
to the Elector of Brandenburg. 

Yes, since he will not woo, he must he wooed! The King’s 
daughter, the Emperor’s grandchild, is exalted so high over 
the little Elector, the powerless duke, that he actually can 
not venture to sue for her hand, hut must have his good for- 
tune announced to him. 

Count Gerhard von Honhof is selected by the King to 
execute this delicate commission, and doubts not that his 
proposition will he auspiciously received. 

He requests of the Elector an interview in the little Chinese 
pavilion near the conservatory, and with smiling, free, and 


468 


THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. 


cordial manner tells him how much the Queen and King love 
him. 

“ And I reciprocate their feelings with all my heart/’ an- 
swers the Elector. These delightful days, like brilliant stars, 
will ever live in my remembrance. Tell their Majesties so.” 

“ Your highness should carry home with you a lasting 
memento of these days,” whispered the courtier. 

What mean you. Count Donhof ? ” 

I believe that if you were to ask the hand of Princess 
Hildegarde, their Majesties would cheerfully grant you their 
consent and bestow upon you a royal bride.” 

Gravely the Elector shook his head. “ No,” he said sol- 
emnly — no. Count Donhof, so long as I can not govern my 
land in peace, I dare seek no other bride than my own good 
sword.” * 

And smilingly, as if he had heard nothing, as if nothing 
uncommon had happened, the Elector returns to the conserva- 
tory. 

The Princess Hildegarde also smiles, looks cheerful and 
happy, and dances with all the cavaliers. But not with the 
Elector! He does not approach her again. 

She seems not to perceive this, and maintains her cheerful- 
ness, even when at last he approaches the Princesses to take 
leave of them. 

Farewell, Sir Elector! May you have a prosperous jour- 
ney home and be happy! ” So say her lips. What says her 
heart? 

That nobody knows. The Princess has a tender but proud 
heart! Only at night was heard a low sobbing and wailing 
in the Princess’s chamber. When morning broke though 
it was hushed. That is the deepest grief which must shun 
the light of day, and only find vent and expression in the cur- 
tained darkness of night. 

Poor Hildegarde! Poor King’s daughter! Scorned! The 
Emperor’s grandchild scorned by the little Elector of Branden- 
burg! 

He has returned home; he has shaken from his feet the 

* The Elector’s own words. See von Orlich, History of Prussia, vol. 
Vi, p, 77 *. 


THE INVESTITURE AT WARSAW. 


469 


• dust of that humbling pilgrimage. The States of the duchy 
of Prussia had long delayed swearing allegiance to the Elector, 
feeling that they had been aggrieved as to their rights and 
privileges. Now at last all difficulties had been adjusted and 
the deputies of Prussia were ready to do homage to their 
Duke. Upon an open tribune before the palace stood the 
Elector, with hared head and radiant countenance, and in front 
of him at the foot of the throne the deputies from his duchy. 
They swore faithfulness and devotion, and, as in Warsaw, so 
in Konigsberg the bells rang, and trumpets and drums sent 
forth triumphant sounds. The roar of cannon announced 
to Konigsberg and all Prussia that to-day the Duke and his 
States were joined in a compact of concord, love, and unity! 

“ Leuchtmar,^’ said the Elector, inclining toward the 
friend whom he had summoned from Sweden, on purpose 
to be present at this festivity — Leuchtmar, in this hour the 
first germ of my future has put forth buds! ” 

And a great forest will grow therefrom, a forest of myrtle 
and laurel, your highness! ” 

Leave the myrtle to grow and bloom, Leuchtmar. I 
care not for that! But I want a rapid growth of laurel! I 
long for action; and one thing I will tell you, friend: to-day 
marks a new era of my life. Until now I have been forced to 
hear and temporize, to bow my head, and patiently accom- 
modate myself to the arrogance and caprices of others. I 
was so small and all about me so great: I was nothing, they 
were everything! I must become a diplomatist in order to 
gain even ground enough on which to stand.” 

^^And now you have gained ground. One title, at least, 
you have substantiated, and may now claim to he veritably 
Duke of Prussia. You have now won your position; and my 
Elector never recedes — he always moves forward! ” 

Yes, from this day he moves forward! ” cried the Elector, 
with enthusiasm. Forward in the path of glory and renown! 
Hear you the ringing of hells and thundering of cannon! God 
bless Prussia, my Prussia of the future — my great, strong, 
mighty Prussia, as I feel she will become. To her I dedicate 
my life. Not in pride and vain ambition, hut in genuine 
humility and devotion to my duty and my calling. I will 


470 ^ the heir to the throne. 

have nothing for myself, all for my people, for the honor of 
my God and the good of my country! In the discharge of 
my princely functions I shall be ever mindful that I guard 
not my own, but my people’s interests. And this thought 
will give me strength and joy! This be the device of my whole 
future: Pro deo et populo ! — For God and the people! ” 

“ God save our Duke! ” cried and shouted the people, as 
the Elector now descended the steps of the throne in order 
to return to the palace. Blessings on our Duke! ” cried 
also the representatives and deputies from the Prussian towns 
and provinces. 

The Elector bowed to right and left, smilingly acknowl- 
edging their salutations. His heart swelled with joy and love 
as he saw all these glad, happy faces, the faces of his own 
people; and in the recesses of his soul he repeated his oath, 
to devote his whole life and being to his country — Pro deo 
et populo ! — For God and the people! ” 


END OF THE VOLUME. 






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